Somali refugees at Dadaab camp. Locals in Garissa staged demos on Thursday, demanding the closure of Daadab Camp. [Photo/Standard]
Angry residents protested demanding closure of Dadaab refugee camp and relocate the refugees.
The locals carrying placards lit fires at the main gate of United Nation and its agencies headquarters and paralyzed operations and barricaded the Dadaab - Garissa road.
According to the locals, the refugees have depleted the environment due to the burning of charcoal, hunting and cutting trees and UNHCR has not compensated them.
Residents said UNHCR has brought them more harm than benefits they offer.
"UN should close its officers and relocate refugees out of Dadaab immediately because they have brought sufferings to us without benefits," said a resident Nasibo Farah.
Farah noted that UNHCR and other NGOs have ignored local community when it comes to job opportunities since staffs have been brought from far areas.
Farah claimed that more 100 youths will be laid off whose contract will be terminated next month.
The locals said UNHCR should sack foreigners and not local youths.
Dadaab deputy county commissioner Harun Kamau said the reduced number of refugees has caused youths loss jobs.
"Repatriation exercise brought loss of jobs," he said.