The government of Kenya is set to lose from the repatriation of refugees.
Mathew Karioki an economist says the move to close the camp will affect the country’s economy negatively. He says it will also derail development.
‘‘A nation is a people. Development is people. What will become of Dadaab Camp without people? Businesses and millions invested there will be lost,” said Kariuki.
He says the government should have focused on beefing up security in the region and not pushing away refugees.
“The refugees contribute immensely to the growth of the economy. Millions from Somalia government and other foreign aid are channelled as donations to these camps. All this money circulates back into the county and thus the growth of the economy,” He said.
He added that businesses in the region will come to a standstill and investors will shun and withdraw their investments.
He said that some will even suffer great losses eventually.
“Banks and other services in the region will collapse. The refugees make a significant number of people. We are set to lose as a country and not Garissa alone,” he warned.