Kenya in Dadaab refugee standoff, says UNHCR

A standoff between the Provincial Administration and the Central government in Nairobi could worsen the humanitarian crisis in Dadaab, an aid agency has warned.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has said that the two sides are giving conflicting information on whether the Ifo II camp shall be opened or not.

Fafa Attidzah, the UNHCR Dadaab sub-office head, told the Nation on Wednesday that while the North Eastern Provincial Commissioner, James Ole Sereni and the Garissa County Council agreed for land to expand refugee camps, the government views it as a security threat.

“The number we are receiving now is too big and we don’t have enough land for settlement, now they (refugees) are settling anywhere,” he said in his office.

He said two pieces of land that will accommodate 80,000 people at Ifo II in Dadaab and Fafi in Bura had been granted.

He added that the local communities were willing to help the refugees settle.

The construction of new houses refugees had been set up at Ifo II before the government stopped the project.

“The local residents are hospitable, however, they are unhappy with the way they are constructing shelters outside their designated places,” he said.

Those who can’t access the camps are cutting down available vegetation to put up structures for houses on the outskirts, meaning that their influx could become an environmental hazard.

On Tuesday, the government stated that the expansion of a new refugee camp wasn't catered for in this financial budget.

"The expansion of a new refugee camp will affect the government's budget," said Internal Security Assistant minister Orwa Ojodeh.

He added, "the refugee site would interfere with the security of Kenyans living near the camp".