Kenya's new refugee arrivals dip nearly 70pc on lower conflict

The number of new refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya fell by 69.8 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, from 19,305 to 5,837 arrivals, according to UNHCR. This decline is attributed to reduced conflict-driven displacement from South Sudan and Sudan. February 2026 saw a 91.1 percent drop from February 2025, and April a 78.3 percent drop. However, June 2026 recorded 2,069 new arrivals, the highest monthly total for 2026. Kenya's total refugee population grew by 2.5 percent to 857,065 by June, with Dadaab and Kakuma camps hosting 86 percent.