Kenya is among a number of countries being eyed by the European Union to host new centres for rejected asylum seekers, as part of a fresh push to speed up deportations from member states.
These proposed facilities, known as "return hubs," would be set up in countries outside the EU. Migrants whose asylum applications have been definitively rejected would be transferred there to await their return to their countries of origin.
According to Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws, the Netherlands is mainly looking at Kenya for this initiative, with Rwanda and Benin also being considered. The Netherlands is working alongside Germany, Austria, Denmark and Greece in assessing potential host countries.
The proposal comes just days after European lawmakers approved new return rules that introduce tougher measures for undocumented migrants and create a legal framework for the establishment of these hubs outside the EU.
Speaking after the approval of the legislation, Dutch lawmaker Malik Azmani said: "Today, Europe delivered. People rightly expect that those with no right to stay return to their countries of origin".
An initial assessment reportedly identified Kenya as a strong candidate due to its relative economic strength and stable political environment compared to other countries under consideration. European reports have also mentioned Ghana and Uzbekistan among countries being examined, although the status of any contacts with those nations remains unclear.
There are, however, human rights concerns regarding Rwanda, and talks with Benin have not yet begun. The plans represent a shift away from Uganda, which the previous Dutch government signed a deal with in September 2025 to set up a transit hub. But those talks were put "on hold" after elections led to instability there.
It is important to note that no agreement has been announced between Kenya and any European government regarding the proposed return hubs. Dutch authorities have maintained that they cannot comment on specific countries under consideration because of the diplomatic sensitivity of the ongoing discussions.
The initiative forms part of the European Migration Pact, which recently entered into force and seeks to strengthen the bloc's ability to remove individuals who have exhausted all legal avenues to remain in Europe. The involved ministers are expected to be briefed shortly, with a final decision aimed for before the end of the year.
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