Police intercept S Sudan refugees

By LEONARD KULEI

KENYA: Police in Nakuru are holding several South Sudanese refugees who arrived in the town yesterday aboard a Nairobi-bound bus.

The youngest among the 15 refugees, probably aged less than 10, looked emaciated and was visibly terrified.

Abor Achie, an elderly woman who was among those intercepted, said they were forced to flee their homes in Bor State of South Sudan after militia men attacked their village killing an unknown number of people and maiming others.

Perpetual tension

She said there has never been peace since the country attained independence in 2011 as there has been perpetual tension between communities due to contested sharing of resources.

“There is no peace in our country. The number of deaths are terrifying, we can’t live there. We are Dinka and Nuer is killing us,” said Achie.

They said they entered the country through an undisclosed border point a week ago and made their way to Kakuma Refugee Camp where some of their relatives lived.

This is before deciding to proceed to Nakuru to a relative’s home as life was unbearable at the camp.

“There are many people at Kakuma and we were not also registered there, that is why we came to Nakuru. What we want first is food and water, we are very hungry,” said a refugee, who did not want to be named.

Immigration officers rescued the refugees at Lanet within Nakuru town and took them to Nakuru Central police station for screening.

According to Alex Hanjari, an immigration official, they would be relocated to any of the refugee camps in the country after proper screening is done.

He also added that Kenya and South Sudan have a Refugee Protocol which must be observed when individuals seek asylum.

“These are refugees whose situation is understood. We came to their rescue and we are looking forward to registering them in any of the refugee camps in the country,” said Hanjari.