Gov’t Issues 14-Days Ultimatum to UNHCR on the Closure of Dadaab, Kakuma Refugee Camps

Matiang’I made the remarks on Tuesday when he was meeting with the UNHCR representatives to Kenya Fadhilaa Addala.

According to the no-nonsense CS, there is no room for further negotiations.

Matiang’I cited terror threats planned from Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps as the reason behind the closure of the camps. The CS said the camps are posing a greater threat to national security.

The CS also said Kenya and Somalia have no diplomatic relationship to continue hosting the refugees there.

The government has planned for another meeting with the diplomats from Burundi, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Uganda on Friday to regularize the repatriation of their nationals from the camps.

“CS Matiang’i issues UNHCR with a 14-day ultimatum to have a roadmap on definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Says no room for further negotiations,” read part of a tweet from the ministry.

However, the officials from the UNHCR said they will present the matter to their seniors in order to find an amicable solution to the matter.

Kenya is seen to have gone on a charm offensive at a time when the two countries are battling about the maritime border where Kenya is accusing the ICJ of failure to honor its request to have the new team of lawyers prepares sufficiently for the case.

Kenya has protested the manner in which the case is being handled.

Somalia refugees are 274,000 people the largest compared to the other countries. This will be the third time Kenya is trying to close down the Camp.