The decision by the Kenyan government to close down refugee camps has generated a heated debate on social media.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho on May 6, 2016 announced government's plan to close Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, after hosting 600,000 refugees for over 25 years.
Kibicho said the move was precipitated by insecurity issues, and lack of finances by the State to continue providing asylum to the refugees.
There have been reports that Al Shabaab terror group has been plotting terrorist attacks within the camps.
On Twitter, a section of Kenyans argued that the interest of Kenya supercedes what others think about the move by the government to send the refugees packing.
Some claimed the refugees were taking advantage of the asylum provided by assisting terrorists to launch attacks within Kenyan boarders.
@tumitift said, “As far #DaadabShutdown is concerned, I fully support our government. Kenya's interest must supercede what others feel & think. @InteriorKE.”
Evans Chirchir- Luda, @ContractorKE posted, “When your guest starts taking your hospitality & kindness for granted you ask them to go back home. #DaadabShutdown.”
Peter Santoni (peter_santoni) criticised the government over its failure to put enough security measures to foil terror attacks.
"No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark". NO to #DaadabShutdown. Blame a failed security system,” he said.
“If a house is on fire you put out the fire. Resolve Somalia to resolve refugee crisis #DaadabShutdown,” said @MsemaKweliKenya.
James Oloo said on Facebook, “ Since many refugees in Kenya have been living there for over 30 years and most of them born in camps have become adults, the only legitimate way for Kenya to close its refugee camps is to put an honourable closure: Give all refugees Kenya citizenship and turn those camps as homes and give it to them so that they can start a life in freedom. This way, we have no refugees and no camps.”
Samuel Mwangi Kariuki Mzalendo posted, “I don't support the threat to Close Daadab and Kakuma Refugee camps by the Kenyan government. Instead i thought fresh registration would be an option to identify genuine asylum seekers. Otherwise some have found home in these camps because Somali is in shambles and even those that had repatriated might have drained back to these camps.
Kenya should not tire from hosting these vulnerable lives. In fact some of those in camps are now benefiting from education and also the surrounding communities might have some benefits from UNHCR initiatives.”
The UN on Tuesday criticised the planned closure of the camps, saying that the safety of hundreds of thousands of Somalis, South Sudanese and others had hinged on Kenya’s generosity and its willingness to be a leading beacon in the region for international protection.