Uncertainty has gripped Somalia refugees at the Dagahaley camps, one of the five camps that make up the Dadaab refugee complex.
Quite a number of voluntary returnees had woken up at the crack of dawn, determined more than ever not to miss the buses that would ferry them back to their home country, a place most of them left several years ago due to raging wars and droughts that killed thousands.
However, those still at the camps are a worried lot, thinking aloud on their fate upon the expiry of November deadline set by the government authorities to have the entire Dadaab and Kakuma camps shut.
Following the twin attacks in Mandera and Garissa, the refugees now feel that Somalia is no better given the determination by the Al-Shabaab insurgents to penetrate the tough security installations at the border.
The Kenyan authorities in conjunction with the UNCHR are currently affecting the voluntary repatriation scheme, where the refugees go to the Garissa airstrip to collect the $120 (Sh12,000) resettlement money, food rations and bedding packed in small bags.
From the airstrip, the next stopover is at Liboi town, where they will cross into their Somalia country under police escort up to Dolbe town where they will be handed over to Somalia government by the UNHCR.