North Eastern Regional Commissioner Mohamud Ali Saleh at a past event. [Photo|kenyanewsagency.go.ke]
North Eastern Regional Commissioner Mohamud Saleh has sent a stern warning to politicians and activists inciting the host community against the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) staff.
Speaking in Garissa Town on Saturday, Saleh claimed some local leaders and civil society groups were using residents to paralyse operations at the Dadaab refugee camp.
"Kenya is signatory to UN conventions and therefore it is our duty to provide security to UN agency and its staff," he said.
"Refugees are asylum seekers who are under State protection and therefore the government will deal decisively with anyone inciting locals against them," Saleh added.
Early this month residents blocked UNHCR staff from accessing the refugee camp accusing the UN agency and other development partners of overlooking the host community when hiring.
They claimed that most of employees working in the area are either foreign staff or Kenyans from other parts of the country.
The host community also demanded compensation from UNHCR claiming the refugees have depleted environment due to charcoal burning, poaching and cutting down trees.