Kenya Now Wants a Timeframe from UNHCR on the Closer of Dadaab and Kakuma Camps
Kenya has now called out to the UNHCR to issue them with the timeframe for the closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.
Gathogo Wanjiru 
The demands came after the refugee agency responded to the ultimatum for a roadmap on the closure of the two refugee camps over claims of insecurity and environmental degradation.
UNHCR agreed to repatriate up to 100,000 refugees to other countries like South Sudan, Canada, the USA, and Ethiopia.
Kenya has therefore called for another meeting with the UNHCR next week to deliberate on the way forward.
“We disagree on the timeframe because it is opening ended. We need a definite date on when these transfers will start and end,” said an official aware of the talks.
“The need to ensure additional support for sustainable reintegration in areas of return, as well as transitional support for the relocation of non-Somali populations including Kenyans, registered as refugees from Dadaab camp is another essential aspect,” said part of the response.
The agency was responding to a two-week ultimatum given by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on March 23 that they come up with a roadmap to close the camps.
Kenya is citing national security threats posed by some of the refugees, including past terror attacks that have been linked to accomplices of the Somali-based Al-Shabaab militant group within the camps.
