Kenya’s decision to repatriate Somali refugees back to their country is not reversible, President Kenyatta has said.
The president said the process of repatriation has already begun and called on the global community to partner with Kenya to ensure its success.
“The train has already left the station. It’s now up to those who are interested in seeing the success of the journey come on board,” said the president.
The Head of State was speaking during talks with the UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. He said Kenya’s action should not be misinterpreted as a move to abandon its international obligations, adding that the country has hosted refugees from neighbouring nations for decades. He emphasised that Kenya viewed the repatriation of the refugees as one way of stabilising Somalia.
The President assured the international community that Kenya will handle the repatriation process in accordance with the international standards and in the most humane way. He called on all UN member states to support the repatriation of Somali refugees back to their country. President Kenyatta added that as a result of the large population of refugees, natural resources such as water and pasture were becoming scarce in the areas they inhabited, accelerating the threat of conflicts in the region.
He added that the refugee issue is a shared responsibility and hence the international community had a duty to support Kenya in ensuring that Somali refugees are repatriated in the best way possible.
“We have made a non-permanent situation to look as permanent,” said President Kenyatta.
The President said if the challenge of Somali refugees is not dealt with now, it could pose a major conflict in the future.
The UN deputy secretary-general commended President Kenyatta and the government for its effort in stabilising the region and especially Somalia and South Sudan. He said he will communicate the president’s and Kenya’s position on repatriation to the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, Filippo Grand once he gets back to New York.
Eliasson expressed gratitude to the president and the people of Kenya for their hospitality which has helped citizens of neighbouring countries in times of great need. He stated that the UN shares Kenya’s concerns and it will look for ways and means of partnering on the issue of refugee.