By KANERE News Desk
Conflicts between refugees and locals have been a long-standing issue in Kakuma, but an attack following the government announcement about closing Kenya’s refugee camps seems to have been motivated by the announcement. At least four refugees have sustained non-life-threatening injuries following attacks by members of the host community in Kakuma.
The incident happened on the morning of Thursday May 25th at 8 am local time in Kakuma 1 Zone 1, Block 12 when the refugees farming along the banks of the Tarach River were attacked by armed Kenyans, forcing the refugees to flee through the thorny bushes back to the camp.
According to the people interviewed by KANERE, the attack was incited by the government call to close down Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya.
One woman was left with a machete cut, which she sustained when trying to block an assault with her bare hand. “It was in the morning, I was watering the farm and saw a boy robbed of his bicycle. He was running toward the water booster where his brother was working. His brother ran out to try to retrieve his stolen bicycle, but he was chased back by the attackers who were carrying sticks and pangas (machetes). They were very many,” said Kama.
“Everybody who was farming fled and ran back to the community, locking all the gates. I was the only one left behind. The mob saw me, and one of them who was carrying panga and a stick broke in through the farm’s gate. He launched a panga strike, catching me in the hand. The attackers wanted the phone and I didn’t have one. They had hurt me and the wound was bleeding, but I didn’t even realize I was bleeding or bearing a cut in the hand. It was sympathy from one of them that saved me. The man told his companions to let me free because I am a woman and was bleeding. That is how they left me. It was the work of God or else I would have died,” Kama recalls the horrific moment.
Masi, and Doni were also victims of the attack. The couple was at their farm at the time the Turkana mob attacked.
“We were at the farm, we didn’t see or hear what was happening, we were far from the other farmers while doing our routine. The lady at the entrance to the community shouted to alert us of the danger that she was running away from. The pathway to the community was filled by the angry Turkana attackers. I threw myself into the dry river through the river bank. One person chased me while the others chased my husband. There was a point when my husband raced faster than me,” Masi told KANERE.
“I felt into the hole and my husband could not lift me but passed me. I then though, I am going to die trying to help myself rather than dying by giving up. I struggled out of the hole and the person chasing me was at the time close to me. I ran and climbed the river bank. The man was behind me abusing me, talking about the call by the government to close down the camp.”
Masi quoted her attacker, whose intent she believes was to ensure the refugees leave Kakuma camp in line with the government’s call to close down the camp. “Go, go away from here you refugees. Haven’t you heard what the government said, we will kill you.”
“From where I was, there was no entrance to the community, I climbed the iron sheet fence and fell into someone’s compound. They picked me and dressed me up. I made it to the community naked and bearing thorn scratch wounds all over the body. My clothes were torn up by the thorny bush while trying to save my life.”
Masi’s husband Doni was chased by many of the armed mob. He said being a man put him at higher risk of death: “My wife threw herself into the dry river through bank trying to get away from the mob invasion. I followed her that way. One person threw a knife after me, shouting that he will kill us if we don’t return to our home countries,” Doni told KANERE.
“With the fear of my life and because I knew they would kill a man, I ran past my wife. She told me to pick her up, but I didn’t because I know they will kill me because I am a man,” said Doni.
“Where we went was impassable, the gang covered all exits, shouting they will kill us because the government has already made the decision that refugees should return to their homes,” added Doni
Lome was robbed of the bicycle by the angry mob while going to fetch water. Lome’s morning routine is to carry a jerrican to fetch water from Borehole 11. “I was going to fetch water at the water booster where my brother works, so when I arrived at the Okappi FC football field, I saw one Turkana man carrying a panga. He stopped me and told me to alight from the bicycle. I refused, the man hit me lightly with the blunt end of the panga. Many of them were approaching, so I hurriedly leapt off and left the bicycle and ran for my life. One of them throws a heavy stick after me, and it hit me hard on the feet. I fell but got back up and continued running until I made it to my brother.
“My brother later visited the scene where I left the bicycle and it was gone. These people were many, like dozens of angry men. They were saying refugees should return to their homes – ‘what are you still doing here?’ the mob asked.
Shako, the elder brother to Lome and an eyewitness, confirmed that the attackers were Kenyans and speaking in Turkana.
Magenu Arbo, the CPPT Zonal Supervisor for Zone 1, said that they have received reports from the refugees attacked by the host community. He told KANERE that he has forwarded the complaint to John Esekon, the Head of security for Refugee Affairs Secretariat – RAS.
John was unable to pick his phone when reached by the KANERE, and a follow up press enquiry was unsuccessful.
The perpetrators were said to be carrying weapons, such as sticks, pangas, and knives. Four refugees were injured in the attack: a 14-year-old, two women, and the couple. Over the months, tensions have remained high following numerous incidents of robberies in sections of the camps.
In March, the government of Kenya issued a two-week ultimatum to close down both Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Interior CS Fred Matiang’i issued the government directive to the UNHCR representative in Kenya Fathiaa Abdalla saying there is no room for further negotiations.
However, the government’s push to shut down the camps was blocked temporarily by the country’s High Court, and later following the continued discussion between the Kenya government and the UNHCR on areas of seeking solutions.
The status of Dadaab and Kakuma camps are set to shut down by 30th June, 2022.
*Names in this article have been changed for the purpose of protecting identity of the victims.