Bill on mandatory housing and amenities for refugees is rejected

President Uhuru Kenyatta rejected the bill that would compel the state to provide refugees with housing and amenities at special transit centers. President Kenyatta rejected the provision saying that it excluded detention centers like prisons, police stations, immigration centers, and remands that are under the law used as holding grounds for refugees and asylum seekers.

Kenyatta’s rejection of the Bill comes at a time Nairobi has said that it will close the two camps Dadaab in Garissa Eastern Kenya and Kakuma camps in Turkana close to the Somalia border holding over 400, 000 refugees next June. This is to reduce the threat of terrorism and smuggling of firearms which has been connected to these camps. The bill was returned on Wednesday National Assembly Committee on National Security and Administration to include the changes.

The decision of closing these camps has been told to the United Nations.“The president notes that the effect of the omission of the proposed definition is in conflict with section 4 and 12(3) (g) of the Persons Deprived of Liberty Act of 2014 which provides that detention facilities may be used as holding centers for refugees and asylum seekers,” read President Kenyatta’s message to Parliament.