Kenya seeks global support in its plan to repatriate refugees
Somali refugees sit outside a transport centre at the Dagahaley Refugee Camp near Dadaab. Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery has said Kenya would adhere to international law in the repatriation of refugees. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, however, said the repatriation would adhere to the international law.
- Mr Nkaissery said the government would also streamline the management of refugees to ensure that only genuine ones are hosted.
- The government has been pushing for the closure of the two main refugee camps — Kakuma and Daadab.
Kenya now wants the international community to support its plan to repatriate refugees to their countries of origin.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, however, said the repatriation would adhere to international law.
In his speech during the World Refugees Day at Kakuma in Turkana County, Mr Nkaissery said the government would also streamline the management of refugees to ensure that only genuine ones are hosted.
“The government will not hesitate to deport anyone who is an asylum shopper as some of them are engaged in criminal activities such as terrorism,” he said.
Mr Nkaissery also disclosed that the government was preparing a refugee policy, while the review of the Refugees Act was under way before the Senate.
Whereas some refugees were genuine, he said, others were involved in activities that jeopardised the interests of Kenyans such as terrorism.
The government has been pushing for the closure of the two main refugee camps — Kakuma and Daadab — following reports that terrorists had been planning their activities in those campus.
Mr Nkaissery’s remarks were read on his behalf by Secretary for Administration Victor Okioma.
US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec reaffirmed Washington’s support for the Kenyan government in security efforts and to help asylum seekers to return to their countries voluntarily.
