The government has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the closure of two major refugee camps in Kenya.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i directed the UN refugee agency to develop a roadmap towards the permanent shutting of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in northern Kenya.
While stating that the demand is not negotiable, Matiang’i noted that the two camps pose a threat to the country, citing intelligence indicating planned terrorist attacks from the camps.
A government letter bearing the two-week ultimatum was sent to the UNHCR representative to Kenya Fadhilaa Addala.
“There is no room for negotiation. We must strike a balance between Kenya’s international obligation and her domestic duties. We do have a domestic responsibility to protect Kenya,” the letter reads in part.
CS Matiang’i further indicated that the aid for the more than 500,000 refugees based in the two biggest refugee quarters in the world has not been disbursed for some time, making it impossible to continue hosting them.
Responding to the ultimatum, UNHCR called for consideration of refugees living in the camps in need of protection.
“The decision would have an impact on the protection of refugees in Kenya, including in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue our dialogue with the Kenyan authorities on this issue,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.
“UNHCR stands ready to support the Government of Kenya in continuing and further strengthening the work that is ongoing to find solutions that are orderly, sustainable and respect refugee rights.”
Can’t believe these camps…
Can’t believe these camps are still operating since the 90s! After South Sudan got its independence and Somalia attained some semblance of normalcy, we should have shut down these camps. They are just a magnet for self styled refugees and a cash cow for NGO’s.
The black man keeps yapping…
The black man keeps yapping nyonyonyonyo.Close the dammm camp.Wazungus have gotten rich in this camps.As soldieron said close them dammm camp.But 2 wks zitaisha n this empty big mouth matiangi won’t close it juu we still worship the UN/UNICEF which is controlled by the white man
Will the refugees be…
Will the refugees be returned to their country of origin?These damn terrorists.All the want to do is cause trouble.Dont they have anything better to do…Worse they invoke Allah,”God is great”after killing the innocent.I can never understand that logic.
The government blackmails…
The government blackmails UNHCR when they more money in their pockets. This has nothing to do with terrorism and the need to close the camp. It is a cash cow for NGOs like soldieron has said, and a cash cow for the government.
Please be aware that…
Please be aware that innocent people are going to once again pay the price of political brinkmanship. The LGBTQI+ community has been attacked, raped and set on fire. Solidarity among refugees!