Kenya Gives UNHCR 14 Days to Close Kakuma and Daadab Refugee Camps over Terror Threat

The government has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on the closure of two major refugee camps in Kenya.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i directed the UN refugee agency to develop a roadmap towards the permanent shutting of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps in northern Kenya.

While stating that the demand is not negotiable, Matiang’i noted that the two camps pose a threat to the country, citing intelligence indicating planned terrorist attacks from the camps.

A government letter bearing the two-week ultimatum was sent to the UNHCR representative to Kenya Fadhilaa Addala.

“There is no room for negotiation. We must strike a balance between Kenya’s international obligation and her domestic duties. We do have a domestic responsibility to protect Kenya,” the letter reads in part.

CS Matiang’i further indicated that the aid for the more than 500,000 refugees based in the two biggest refugee quarters in the world has not been disbursed for some time, making it impossible to continue hosting them.

Responding to the ultimatum, UNHCR called for consideration of refugees living in the camps in need of protection.

“The decision would have an impact on the protection of refugees in Kenya, including in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue our dialogue with the Kenyan authorities on this issue,” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

“UNHCR stands ready to support the Government of Kenya in continuing and further strengthening the work that is ongoing to find solutions that are orderly, sustainable and respect refugee rights.”