Refugee exercise mooted in 2009, records show

By Geoffrey Mosoku

Nairobi, Kenya: The Government had planned a security operation to round up refugees living outside designated camps in 2009 but the exercise was halted after it attracted criticism.

Somali leaders sought the intervention of then Prime Minister Raila Odinga who objected to the operation unless the National Security Council (NSC) sanctioned it.

It targeted 18,000 refugees in the first phase, who were to be relocated to Kakuma and Daadab camps and deportation of others.

The plan included the use of Thika Municipal Stadium as a holding centre for the refugees. Then Interior Affairs PS Mutea Iringo said the exercise would target refugees.

Correspondences seen by The Standard indicate that the aborted exercise was set to commence on January 21, barely a month before last year’s General Election.

Iringo had written to his Special Programmes counterpart Andrew Mondoh requesting him to extend humanitarian assistance at the stadium and during transportation.

“The Government intends to move all refugees residing in urban areas to Daadab and Kakuma refugees camps and ultimately, to their home countries after the necessary arrangements are put in place,” Iringo’s letter dated January 16, 2013 reads in part.

Humanitarian crisis

“The first phase, which targets 18,000 persons, will commence on January 21, 2013. The security officers will transport the refugees to Thika Municipal Stadium which will act as the holding ground,” Iringo adds.

The letter was authored only a day after Parliament was dissolved, with sources saying ODM side of the grand coalition had severally objected to the same plot conceived in 2009.

However, Somali leaders got wind of the impending operation and petitioned the Prime Minister on the eve of the exercise. Raila’s former PS Mohamed Isahakia then wrote to head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia and demanded an immediate halt of the planned round up.

According to Isahakia’s letter dated January 21, an exercise of such magnitude could not proceed without being sanctioned by the NSC.

Isahakia cautioned that if not properly planned and executed, the amassing of refugees at Thika Municipal Stadium and subsequent relocation to designated camps may degenerate into a humanitarian crisis.

He said: “Kenya has signed international conventions that govern the handling of refugees. Any act by the Government to undertake mass movement of refugees should involve the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in order to avert an international outcry.”

Raila’s PS then went to add that in view of the magnitude and international bearing of the discussion, it was the view of the Office of the Prime Minister that the relocation be discussed and sanctioned by the NSC.

The matter was not tabled at NSC as the country was engaged in election campaigns.

Yesterday, Iringo refused to comment on whether Raila’s letter stopped the exercise only saying; “The ongoing operation targets criminals, illegal aliens and terrorists.”