Kenya announces the closure date for Kambioos Refugee Camp in Dadaab

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Hiiraan Online
Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Children participating in a hygiene workshop in Kambioos, Dadaab

Nairobi (HOL) – The government of Kenya has announced a final date of closure for Kambioss, one of the refugee camps among the sprawling Dadaab Refugee Complex.

Harun Kamau, the Dadaab District Commissioner, announced on Monday that the Kenyan government has made the decision to close the refugee camp by mid-February.

“We shall be closing Kambioos on the 15th of February next year 2017”.

He noted that the reason for the closure was a logistical necessity saying people had to be moved closer to the other refugee camps so as to more effectively utilize the shrinking facilities.

Leaders from the Faafi Constituency who represent Kambioss have rejected the government’s suggestion and say that the closure would further complicate the situation for the 12,000 to 13,000 refugee families currently living there.They do, however, agree that a smooth transfer system should be put in place prior to when the refugees will be moved to the other camps.

Kambioos was established in 2012 shortly after the 2011 massive influx of Somali refugees escaping the drought and famine which hit many parts in Somalia coupled with conflicts posed by Somali militia, Al-Shabaab.

Dadaab refugee complex consists of several large camps including Hagardere, Ifo and Dagahley which host hundreds of thousands of Somali refugees who first began to arrive in the early 90s at the onset of the Somali civil war.

The government of Kenya plans to shut down all camps in the Dadaab Refugee Complex in 6 months time.