22nd January, 2008
The Government of Kenya has decided to close the camp for internally displaced people at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi where hundreds of families displaced in the post-election violence have been living. Consequently, the displaced people have been asked to return to their homes by tomorrow, January 23rd.
The closure was announced despite strong lobbying by AMREF and other non-governmental organisations, including UNHCR, UNICEF, RED CROSS, IRC and MAP, who felt that the move was hurried. They asked that the government allow at least two weeks for orderly and humane repatriations.
But Nairobi West District Commissioner, Mr Evans Owankwa, who held a meeting with the NGOs yesterday, reiterated the government’s decision to shut the camp, arguing that calm had returned to most parts of the city, and the country, and security had been restored. He said that many of the people flocking into the camp now, particularly at mealtimes, were not genuine refugees and posed a new security risk. Those leaving the camp would be given food and other essential supplies he said, while any who will not have left by Wednesday will have their cases reviewed on an individual basis and relocated to chiefs’ camps and churches in Kibera and parts of the city.
Although a few of the displaced people began moving out yesterday, many others were unhappy with the decision, saying that they had nowhere to go, as their homes and businesses had been burnt. Others said their houses had been occupied by other people and they did not know how they would get them out.
Following this decision, it was agreed that all relief work should continue as usual until Wednesday this week. By yesterday, AMREF had completed construction of eight out of 12 toilets, and three bathroom blocks with four washing areas each. Four out of five water tanks had been installed, and five volunteers have already led education sessions on sanitation and hygiene among the camp residents.
“We are waiting to see what happens tomorrow before we decide what to do next,” said Gerald Rukunga, AMREF’s Head of Water and Sanitation. “In the meantime, we are considering installing the fifth water tank at Olympic Primary School in Kibera and to relocate the remaining four toilets for use in the community.”
Tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd, AMREF holds a meeting for donor agencies, corporate leaders, and the diplomatic corps to highlight AMREF’s views on the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, and particularly the ‘silent emergency’ beyond the IDP camps, with focus on communities that are isolated within informal settlements and who cannot access basic services because of fear and insecurity. Those most adversely affected are women and children, whom AMREF intends to target in its outreach services to the community through services such as HIV and TB drugs maternal care, family planning services and immunisation.
For more information contact Louise Orton on 00 44 (0) 207 269 5526 or 00 44 (0)7939 141 764 or Bob Kioko on 00 254 (0)735546440.