Somalia refugees stand in front of an entrance to the Dadaab refugee camp. Photo/FILE
By EDITH FORTUNATE efortunate@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, July 17 2013 at 23:30
Posted Wednesday, July 17 2013 at 23:30
In Summary
- Repatriation will make the country more secure from terrorism threats
The Cabinet has approved the return of more than 600,000 refugees to their countries from January next year.
The six months before the exercise will be
sufficient time to prepare for the relocations, according to Secretary
to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia.
“We are preparing and negotiating with countries
where the refugees come from before we begin the official relocation.
Kenya has to be freed of the 600,000 refugees from next year,” said Mr
Kimemia.
Voluntary repatriation
“This is one way to secure the country and we
decided to fast-track their relocation since it’s a major concern to the
government.”
Last month, Kenya and Somalia signed a “voluntary
repatriation” deal and plans are being made to start moving the people
back to their home.
Last year Nairobi ordered more than 30,000 refugees in urban areas to return to the camps.
Mainly targeted for repatriation are refugees of
Somali origin and this, Mr Kimemia said, was the reason the Kenya
Defence Forces were still in Somalia. “We have to stabilise Somalia
first so that the refugees can go home.”
After signing the repatriation deal last month,
President Uhuru Kenyatta said help was being sought from the
international community.
“We have called for the support of Igad, UNHCR and
the international community to ensure the success of this exercise,” Mr
Kenyatta said.
Attacks and kidnappings
He disclosed that he and Somali leader Hassan
Sheikh Mohamud had discussed threats, attacks and kidnappings by
Al-Shabaab on innocent people in the two countries and agreed on joint
security operations.
Mr Kenyatta briefed President Mohamud on Kenya’s
position regarding the disproportionate burden of hosting the refugees
and the economic, social, security and environmental consequences.
The two leaders agreed to establish a joint taskforce to prepare for a conference on refugees in Nairobi next month.
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