By Anderson Ojwang
Members of Ethiopian and Eritrean asylum seeker communities in Kenya have expressed concern over the suspension of registration and prolonged denial of essential services to asylum seekers.
They have also appealed to Kenya’s administration to restore registration and the provision of essential services.
In a press statement, the Horn Refugee Voices Community-Led Organisation (RLO) expressed concern over the registration suspension for Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals seeking asylum.
“We, members of the Ethiopian and Eritrean refugee and asylum-seeker communities in Kenya, express our deep concern regarding the suspension of registration for Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals seeking asylum and refugee protection,” read the statement.
The statement also expressed concern over what it termed as the prolonged interruption of critical services by the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“Since the suspension of registration measures introduced in 2025, many asylum seekers have been unable to access refugee status determination procedures, obtain documentation, or receive protection services,” the statement read.
The court
Human rights organisations challenged the directive in court, and the High Court subsequently issued conservatory orders suspending its implementation pending further legal proceedings.
Last year, the High Court in Nairobi temporarily suspended the government directive that stopped the registration of asylum seekers from Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Justice Chacha Mwita issued conservatory orders on October 2, 2025, barring the Interior Ministry and the Commissioner for Refugee Affairs from enforcing the July 31 directive, which had halted asylum registration for nationals of the two countries.
The order will remain in effect until October 22, 2025, when the case will come up for further directions.
The ruling followed a petition filed by Refugee Legal Networks, the Refugee Consortium of Kenya, and three other petitioners challenging the legality of the government’s move.
The petitioners argued that the suspension was unconstitutional and violated the rights of asylum seekers under both domestic and international law.
In his decision, Justice Mwita said the conservatory order was necessary given the urgency of the matter and the potential harm that could result if the directive remained in force while the case was pending.
The case, which was before the High Court at Milimani, was expected to clarify how Kenya balances national security concerns with its international obligations to protect refugees and asylum seekers.
Services
The organisation said several affected individuals continue to face uncertainty and barriers in accessing protection.
“For more than six months, numerous asylum seekers and refugees have reported difficulties accessing essential services,” the statement read in parts.
The services include registration, documentation, case processing, status updates, movement-related services, protection referrals, and other support mechanisms.
“The absence or delay of these services has left many individuals vulnerable to arrest, detention, exploitation, homelessness, and lack of access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. We respectfully call upon,” it read.
The statement appealed to the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) to fully restore and facilitate timely registration and documentation services for all asylum seekers, including Ethiopians and Eritreans, in accordance with Kenyan law and international refugee protection standards.
“We appeal to UNHCR to strengthen its protection response, improve communication with affected communities, and ensure that vulnerable asylum seekers and refugees can access essential assistance and legal protection,” it read.
The statement said the Government of Kenya should uphold its obligations under the Refugee Act, the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention, and other relevant human rights instruments. It also called on development partners, civil society organisations, and the international community to support efforts aimed at protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of refugees and asylum seekers affected by these measures.
“We acknowledge Kenya’s long-standing role in hosting refugees and appreciate the challenges facing refugee management systems. However, protection mechanisms must remain accessible to individuals fleeing persecution, conflict, and serious human rights violations,” it read.
They urged the stakeholders to take immediate action to restore access to registration, documentation, and protection services and to ensure that no person seeking asylum is left without legal recognition and humanitarian protection.
