Editor's Review

  • Matiang’i opined that Kenya and Somalia have no diplomatic relationship to continue hosting the refugees there.
  • The CS gave a 14-day ultimatum for the closure of the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i has given UNHCR a 14-day ultimatum to have a road map on the definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.

The CS said there is no room for further negotiations citing security threats brought about by the camps. He explained that the camps have been used by terrorists to plan attacks.

“CS Matiang’i issues UNHCR with a 14-day ultimatum to have a roadmap on definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Says no room for further negotiations,” a tweet from the Ministry read.

The CS made the remarks while addressing the NCCK Executive Committee in Limuru.

Fear Of Terror

Kenya will hold meetings with diplomats from Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan on Friday to regularise the repatriation of their nationals from the camps.

Matiang’i who was accompanied by his Chief Administrative Secretary Hussein Dhado and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho also noted that Kenya and Somalia have no diplomatic relationship to continue hosting the refugees there.

In the past, Human Rights organisations alleged that Kenya has harassed Somali refugees to return home when it is not safe to do so.

Kenya announced its plans to close the world’s largest refugee camp, Dadaab, in 2016 saying it had been infiltrated by terrorist cells.