Government says refugees ‘won’t be forced out’
Kenya now wants the international community to support its plan to repatriate refugees to their countries of origin.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, however, said the repatriation would adhere to the international law.
In his speech during the World Refugees Day at Kakuma in Turkana County, Mr Nkaissery said the government would also streamline the management of refugees to ensure that only genuine ones are hosted.
“The government will not hesitate to deport anyone who is an asylum shopper as some of them are engaged in criminal activities such as terrorism,” he said.
REFUGEE ACT
Mr Nkaissery also disclosed that the government was preparing a refugee policy, while the review of the Refugees Act was underway before the Senate.
Whereas some refugees were genuine, he said, others were involved in activities that jeopardised the interests of Kenyans such as terrorism.
The government has been pushing for the closure of the two main refugee camps — Kakuma and Daadab — following reports that terrorists had been planning their activities in those campus.
Mr Nkaissery’s remarks were read on his behalf by Secretary for Administration Victor Okioma.
US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec reaffirmed Washington’s support to the Kenyan government in security efforts and to help asylum seekers to return to their countries voluntarily.