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Transcript/ScriptKENYA REFUGEES INTEGRATION (TV)
HEADLINE: Refugees in Kenya Gain Employment Rights as New Law Takes Effect
TEASER: While some refugees are reaping the benefits of the law, job discrimination and education funding are challenging refugee integration as the deadline to close camps quickly approaches.
PUBLISHED: 5/08/22 at 237p
BYLINE: Juma Majanga
DATELINE: Nairobi
VIDEOGRAPHER: Amos Wangwa
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 3:02
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO)) [Kenya last year was hailed for passing a law giving the half million refugees in the country better access to education and employment ahead of plans to shut refugee camps by the end of June. While some refugees in Kenya are reaping the benefits of the law, many face challenges posed by job discrimination and poor education funding. Juma Majanga reports from Nairobi.]]
((NARRATOR))
Ajak Jok Ajak is perusing case files on a rainy afternoon in Nairobi.
The 28-year-old refugee – who grew up at the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya - never dreamed he would work one day as an intern advocate at a major law firm.
Ajak says thanks to a new law, getting a job is much easier now for him and half a million other refugees in Kenya.
((Ajak Jok Ajak, South Sudan Refugee in Kenya (English, 15 secs))
“You had to obtain a research permit before you start research. You had to obtain internship permit before you start your internship - all those things. Now it means, you will not need another additional procedure, but just only your qualifications.”
((NARRATOR))
The Kenya Refugee Act 2021 was signed into law last year and went into effect in February this year bringing several gains to refugees.
((Jamin Kusuania, International Rescue Committee ((English, 18 secs))
“The biggest problem that refugees have had in this country since 1991 has actually been the incumbent policy where refugees are domiciled to live within particular camps. And what we see in the Refugee Act of 2021 is that it moves toward removing that aspect of incumbent.”
((NARRATOR))
Rights activist Adieu Achul says the new law will help this vulnerable community in many ways but more needs to be done to raise awareness among refugees.
(Adieu Achul, Refugees’ Rights Activist ((English, 17 secs))
“Policies are just theories but not practical. So, most of time, yes, they will issue, they’ll sign, but they don’t interpret these policies to refugees. Nobody is doing that so that they get to have access to information. To know these policies were signed and this policy is saying this and this and this, so that they can start acting on it.”
((NARRATOR))
For Ajak, the new law couldn’t have come at a better time. After being held back because of his refugee status, the new law has allowed him to apply for admission into the roll of advocates at the High Court of Kenya and a job promotion to a full advocate.
(Ajak Jok Ajak, South Sudan Refugee in Kenya (English, 15 secs))
“It has enabled the refugees to actually access certain services without them being restricted. And that’s why you see some of us are very hopeful.”
((NARRATOR))
The new law is part of the Kenyan government’s refugee integration program as it prepares to close refugee camps by the end of June.
Some agencies say more work needs to be done.
((Jamin Kusuania, International Rescue Committee ((English, 23 secs))
“The government will need to relook at the timelines that are actually in place, but also take cognizance of now the Refugee Act of 2021 and begin a rethink in terms of how
then do we need to handle refugees in the country? How do we need then to transition refugees from the camps? Because it needs to be a roadmap towards solutions.”
((NARRATOR))
While the new law may ease the obstacles refugees have to get an education and employment, experts say it will take more time to address the full range of challenges refugees are expected to face.
((Juma Majanga, for VOA News, Nairobi))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Juma Majanga
Embargo DateMay 8, 2022 15:23 EDT
Byline((Juma Majanga, for VOA News, Nairobi))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
