UN seeks land for new camp as Sudan refugees stream in after fresh fighting

Kenya has been asked to set up a new camp for hundreds of Sudanese fleeing fighting in their countries.

The influx of refugees at Kakuma refugee camp in Turkana County has strained resources, leading to incessant fights, a UN agency said.

The head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kakuma, Mr Guy Avognon, said the camp was filling up fast and he had requested the government to allocate more land for a new camp.

Mr Avognon said the UNHCR did not want to alienate the local pastoralists by sinking more boreholes at Kakuma camp.

Fights over water and space

“We can’t sink any more boreholes as this will suffocate the host community,” he said.

The refugees on Monday told Turkana West district commissioner Patrick Muiira and UNHCR officials that the increased numbers had resulted in fights over water and space.

“Incidents of women fighting in water queues or children at playgrounds have increased following the influx of more refugees from Sudan and South Sudan as a result of renewed fighting” said a refugee at the camp, Mr Jackson Ahmed.

Two weeks ago, clashes erupted at Kakuma between Dinka and Nubian refugees from South Sudan, resulting in one death.

Mr Muriira said tension was still high at the camp. “We have beefed up security as we cannot allow the conflict to spread into the communities living near the camp,” he said.

“The camp has, in the last few months, been receiving about 150 refugees per day but the figure is now stabilising at about 4,500 new refugees a month,” said Mr Muriira.

Mr Muriira said a meeting with the two groups showed that resources were seriously overstretched.

He said the camp was almost full and plans were being made to either extend it or set up an annex.

He, however, hinted that Sudan politics might be at play.

“Let me make it clear that we cannot allow Sudanese politicians and activists to disrupt the refugees’ peaceful stay in this camp,” he said.

During the meeting, the Nubians said they were being targeted by the Dinka because they are from central Sudan’s Nuba Mountains and South Kordofan.

Supported Khartoum

“The Dinka say we did not fight for South Sudan’s independence. They even say we supported Khartoum,” said Ms Amina Ahmed.

Refugees from Sudan are not the only ones seeking a home at Kakuma.

There are some from Daadab camp in North Eastern Province, especially Somali Bantus, migrating to Kakuma.

One of them, Mr Salat Muya, said he decided to move to Kakuma with his family because he has relatives there.

Turkana leaders have called on the government to avoid any conflict between refugees and locals.

They want the government to tell them whether it wants to extend the camp or move it.

Resident Janerose Nawoi said the camp offered jobs for them.

“We would welcome a new camp in Turkana as it will present more opportunities for us,” he said.

Mr Muriira said there were many opportunities which had not been fully exploited and urged the Education ministry and Teachers Service Commission to explore teaching openings for unemployed Kenyans in the camp.