Closure of Kakuma Refugee Camp hits a snag

Daadab Refugee Camp. [Courtesy]

Barely days to the lapse of the 14-day ultimatum to close the Kakuma and Dadaab Refugee camps, Turkana West MP Daniel Epuyo has warned the government to keep off from refugee affairs.

Governor Josephat Nanok said the order to close the two largest refugee camps by the state was ill-informed.

Speaking during the Commissioning of Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (KDRDIP) in Kakuma, Epuyo said the government was just giving a directive and arrangement for the UN to plan how to reorganize the camps but not closure.

According to Epuyo Kenya is various UN instruments and conventions adding that the government should explore other diplomatic options and arrive at amicable and agreeable solutions.

A spot check by KTN news on Wednesday noted that it was business as usual at the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

All eyes are now on the government to provide direction over the matter.

Local residents say the existence of the refugees in the area was of great economic benefit to their livelihoods. 

On Mach 24, the government of Kenya gave UNHCR 14 days to have a road map on the definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i issued the government directive to the UNHCR representative in Kenya Fathiaa Abdalla saying there is no room for further negotiations.

He was accompanied by his PS Karanja Kibicho and chief Administrative Secretary Hussein Dado.