There is a conflict between the Nuer and Anuak in Kakuma exported from Ethiopia at Kakuma refugee camp.
Kenya currently at is at a crossroads and the neighbouring countries exporting their conflict into the government will not be allowed.
Where are we? The issue is that the Kakuma camp is in conflict because soe refugees have more rights than others. The challenge is that what they think is their right in Ethiopia has been exported to Kenya.
Where did the rain start beating Kakuma? Intercommunity clashes in the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement between June 20 and 25 resulted in the tragic deaths of ten refugees and the injuries of several more who needed hospital treatment.
The Department of Refugee Services (DRS), partners, and host communities are receiving support in coordination with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which offers its sincere sympathies to the families and communities impacted by the tragedy.
The UNHCR are saying that they don’t have jurisdiction about what happened in Kakuma yet it is their premises.
Kenya—as a host of over 5 million refugees—cannot afford to allow people to export their domestic differences into our country.Just like Kathryn Porteous
Communications Officer ¦ UNHCR Kenya said, UNHCR expresses deep condolences to the families and communities affected by this and we continue to coordinate with the Department of Refugee Services (DRS), partner’s refugees and host communities to offer support.
South Sudanese Nuer refugees have been attacking the Ethiopian Anuak refugees who fled the genocide of 2003.
This has terrified women and children are reported in hiding in the churches and police stations. This is very grave as many children and women are left without food and medical treatment. The violent attacks have left numerous deaths and dozens of injuries currently receiving treatment in the hospitals.
Between 20-25 June, inter-community conflicts occurred in the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement which led to the tragic deaths of ten refugees and the injury of several other refugees, who required hospital treatment.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) says that the safety and security of refugees and people living in Kakuma remain of utmost priority with the Department of Refugee Services (DRS).
Secondly, the DRS is supposed to coordinate with the Kenyan authorities (national and county administration) to ensure the safety and security of people and mitigate further conflict including through community-led joint peace and reconciliation committees, extensive communication and messaging through peace caravan and religious leaders, and meetings with community elders, leaders and youth including from refugees to promote peaceful coexistence.
The question is, are relevant authorities doing their job? Should Kenyans stand by while Ethiopian refugees are exporting their conflict to Kenya? That is my take.
