Nairobi, 18 December 2024 — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in collaboration with the Government of Kenya (GoK) and various partners, celebrated International Migrants Day (IMD) under the theme “Step-up 4 Safe Migration #Everystep”. The celebration included a two-kilometer walk, exhibition booths, blood drive and medical screening designed to celebrate migrants, to advocate for their rights, and to encourage the international community to work together to harness the power of migration, with a special focus on safe regular pathways as a game changer for both migrants and host communities.

The event brought together over 1,000 thousand participants from government, the international community, development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, urban migrants and the public. It aimed to increase awareness on migration issues, promote solidarity with migrants’ communities, celebrate the resilience and strength of migrants in Kenya and Kenyan migrants abroad, and encourage community participation in supporting migrant rights.

Highlighting the transformative potential of migration, the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Kenya, represented by UN Development Programme Kenya Resident Representative, Mr. Anthony Ngororano, remarked, “Migration is not merely a movement of people across borders—it is a movement of ideas, skills, and knowledge. It is about people striving for better lives—for safety, for opportunity, for family, and for growth. Kenya exemplifies how migration benefits us all.”

Ms. Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission for IOM Kenya, underscored the importance of the celebrations, “We work with the Government of Kenya to ensure that migration takes place in a safe and orderly manner. Migration is not a challenge to be managed but rather an opportunity to harnessed. We can no longer talk about sustainable development without including migration in the conversation.”

The event was graced by Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu, Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, who emphasized the importance of the commemoration, “Today, we take time to reflect not only about the challenges migrants face, but also the opportunities migration brings. Further, we reflect as the community of nations, how best to create regular pathways that allow migrants to have an easy and safe journey as they move from one country, sometimes through other countries, into their final country of destination.”

While officially opening the ceremony, Ambassador Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary, State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services, acknowledged the steps the GoK has put in place to facilitate regular pathways, “His Excellency, the President, this year open the country by making Kenya visa free country to facilitate easy and efficient migration. We are here to reflect on some of the government policies which are furthering the migration agenda globally.”

Celebrated annually, IMD offers an opportunity to recognize the efforts, contributions, and rights of migrants worldwide and to advocate for migrants and related issues while promoting an informed and balanced conversation on migration through sharing the stories, experiences, aspirations of people, while encouraging the international community to work together to harness the potential of migration.

Kenya, home to over 1,000,000 migrants and more than 800,000 registered refugees, is a key player in the regional migration dynamics. As a country of origin, transit, and destination, migration significantly influences Kenya’s five-year Medium-Term Plan (2023-2027).

For more information, please contact:
Cynthia Meru National Communications Officer, IOM Kenya at cmeru@iom.int