Category: Quotes of the Month

“We’re Ethiopian refugees, we’re not Somali and we’re not terrorists. We had proof of our identities but there’s even no law that protects us,”

                 – Abdikadir told Kanere in an interview/ “Deportation of an Ethiopian refugee to Somalia”

“We are targeted for nothing, you can’t look for terrorists in this manner, we are not terrorists,”

                 – Sheik Mohamed told Kanere in an interview/ “Police torture in Eastleigh”

“We answered ‘No’ to the radical question from the lawyers and we’re immediately forced to the entrance and denied entry that afternoon. We’re not give a chance to express ourselves, this is not the UNHCR that the world thinks of,”

                 – K. Mabior, a former interpreter/ “Refugee interpreters on protest”

“Today, we joined the international community and over 45 million people uprooted by war, conflict and persecution. It’s an international obligation for everyone to support refugees,”

                 – US Ambassador Robert Godec/ “World Refugee Day 2014”

“I was at the water point when a group of my clan men alerted us about the spreading fight, we all ran to collect our babies,”

– Ayier Adual told KANERE / “Dinka clans in conflict”

“The villages were attacked during the nights with artilleries and dangerous roaring machine guns, this terrorized the children and even animals,”

– Lost Boys Chairperson said in a statement at Kakuma/ “The Lost Boys of Sudan”

“Any refugee found flouting this directive will be dealt with in accordance with the law,”

– Kenya Interior Minister, Joseph Ole Lenku ordered refugees to go to camps/ “Kenya against the Refugees”

“Some members of the Oromo were arrested at a Mosque after night prayer and charged at the court offensively,”

– Oromo block leader told Kanere/ “Police harassment in Kakuma 1”

“I was at the age of four when my parents were killed. I got separated from my uncle but lived among other kids,”

– Jacob Deng a survivor told Kanere/ “The Lost Boys of Sudan”

“The fight broke out in the day and I am arrested at the night while in my residential plot. I don’t belong to Diauechuk nor Ayuel. Is this just?,”

– Asked JK during interview/ “Dinka clans in conflict”

“These actions are too brutal but we have learnt to accept it and life goes on. The nights were human ATMs while the day remains the malls hunting, therefore we opt to close our shops when we see the police,”

– Imran Hussein, a business woman, disclosed to Kanere/ “Kenya against the Refugees”

“This is the business center with electricity and cafes, it’s not clear why police are beating and just arresting anyone since June,”

                 – A Sudanese Nuer leader remarked/ “Police harassment in Kakuma 1”

“We had much expectation of practical changes on food, protection and durable solutions which are not coming,”

                 – Waqo an Oromo Ethiopian supposed/ “World Refugee Day 2014”

“I was running, stepping on the bodies of the people lying, some are in their last minutes dying. I don’t know what would happen to them,”

– Chuol Ajak, a Dinka newly arrived southerner, told Kanere at Kakuma 4/ “The Fate of South Sudan”

“This is a good reminder that culture is not really static. While their different songs embody a particular worldview, they seemed united by a common thread; joy was that common thread,”

–  Father Paul Vidal, a Jesuit priest/ “Turkana Wedding Ceremonial”

“We are asking humanitarian support to save the lives of the thousands who are displaced and living in hunger,”

– Turkana County Governor – Josphat Nanok told Kanere/ “Alarming human disaster in Turkana”

“This thing is illegal but we don’t get enough food for children, do we eat stones to live?”

– a woman who wished to remain anonymous stated at Kakuma 1/ “Police raid on illicit brews”

“I was at the scene, the place was very noisy and crowded with drunkard people, and the child was stabbed with a sharp knife and died,”

– A Lotuko woman told Kanere/ “Murder scene at Kakuma 1”

“I was flabbergasted. I never imagined this could happen, I never lit the fire and we didn’t even cook a breakfast that day because there is no food in the house,”

                   – Anger Dowel, a South Sudanese fire victim told Kanere at Kakuma 2/ “Fire Outbreak”    

 “I barely escaped death, in some towns like Bor and Jonglei people are identified by ritual marks and killed,”

– Duop Nhial – a South Sudanese Nuer new arrival – told Kanere/ “The Fate of South Sudan”

 “The child is our pupil who is learning in standard 2 West, the incident happened outside the school compound but we felt strongly sorry about it,”

– A school teacher at Jabel-Marra primary told Kanere/ “Murder scene at Kakuma 1”

“They told us they wanted to be baptized in the Church and become deacons. Since that day, the boys brought many other friends, neighbors, and family members to join the Church,”

– Father Fikremariam, a Monk at the Medhanealem Ethiopian Orthodox church/ “Turkana Wedding Ceremonial”

 “I did not prepare these drinks, it was not mine, I was brought to police station after they beat me,”

                   – The accused, Susan Etati – claimed to have been charged unfairly, she told Kanere/ “Police raid on illicit brews”

“The return of Somali refugees must be voluntary, conducted in safety and dignity.”

– The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Mr. Guterres told Kenyan officials/ “Somali Repatriation”

“We call upon the members of the community to maintain peace, it is unfortunate a child was involved whenever fights broke out,”

– said an LWF peace building official/ “Inter-communal conflicts”

“I was arrested together with 20 others, we had documents but police wish to verify all identification papers,”

– a Somali woman told Kanere in an interview/ “Refugees are not Terrorists”

“Kenya is a fair country in terms of refugee protection and to KANERE, the services we offered are pro bono,”

– said Advocate Rahma Jillo/ “KANERE – Registered as an NGO”

“The needs assessment was conducted in 2009 and the first intake in liberal studies was in 2010 where 27 students were able to graduate,”

– Elizabeth Lock, JC-HEM Coordinator, JRS Kakuma/ “Diploma Graduation Ceremony”

“There are 15,000 persons who have not reported to collect food rations, meaning these individuals are not in the camp,”

– a UNHCR official commented in a statement at FDC 3 in the Camp/ “Classified Finger Printing”

“Id is a great day. We should be sharing whatever we have with the most vulnerable and needy members of the community,”

–  urged a Sheikh at a mosque in Kakuma 1/  “Muslims Mark Id-Ul-Adha”

“There’re many courses offered online, after three years, it becomes real to accomplish. Despite a lot of burning heat, I made it here”

                   – Said Ahmed Biwaye, one of the graduates/ “Diploma Graduation Ceremony”

“Surrounded with atrocities, harshness and hardship in the line of war, killing fellow human beings breaks my heart,”

– A Former Sudanese War Child was quoted at a Concert in the Camp/ “Emmanuel Jal’s visit to Kakuma”

“There are 160 Nuer which outnumbered only 20 Murle arrested in masses but released after strong warnings,”

– said a government official commented/ “Inter-communal conflicts”  

“I felt humiliated in the cell, I was not given time to speak out before being released with a fine of Kshs 6,000,”

– A tired and hungry sheik told Kanere/ “Refugees are not Terrorists”

 “Kanere News is a platform that does not only cover the refugee issues but includes the marginalized host communities of Turkana. It’s an initiative to be funded equally,”

– said a Turkana District information officer/ “KANERE – Registered as an NGO”

“We’re not ready to go back to Mogadishu, our community is not prepared for it either, it’s not yet safe,”

– M. Gabo a Somali refugee told Kanere/ “Somali Repatriation”

“The refugees felt insecure and harassed to have to present their fingerprints to collect the rations,”

– a refugee zonal leader told Kanere/ “Classified Finger Printing”

“A man hit me with the sharp point of a gun on my back and ribs. I screamed loud, he started lying down on me; I could hear people shouting all over…”

– Wami Ali a Somali rape victim said in an interview/ “Somali women raped at gun point”

“We don’t give information to journalists. Are you ‘atananyeche?’… Are you a journalist?”

– Said a police official in a very intimidating way to Kanere/ “Guards: Stop Exploitation and Abuse!”

“Refugees need to have a work permit to claim a right to work. The government of Kenya has not given refugees permit to work in the camps or urban areas.”

– Paul an incentive worker/ “Refugee employment process and mode of payment”

“We know we are survivals of the bad politics that have troubled Rwanda ever since. It is not about who is in power, it’s about our security issues back home and even here. Unfortunately we do not decide on our fate but a Rwandan requested ‘Cessation Clause’ will determine.” 

– Said Mutsinzi Elias a Rwandan refugee/ “Rwandan refugee to lose ration cards”

“They beat all of us; Feisal was bleeding on the head before they fired two bullets.”

– A victim’s brother in tears/ “Refugee protest following insecurity situation”

“He is coming with a gun demanding my daughter; are they here to protect us or they exploit us?”

– A victim’s mother/ “Guards: Stop Exploitation and Abuse!”

“We always have problems when it comes to shelter allocation and water rationing because each block doesn’t have its own water point.”

– A refugee leader explained at Camp 1/ “Refugee Election in Kakuma”

“I was not in protest, I was beaten while crossing the road to other street.” I know the police officer who beat me, I am in fear.”

– Fatuma told Kanere speaking at camp hospital/ “Refugee protest following insecurity situation”

“I tried to plead, but those men are cruel, my kids were helpless.”

– Habbi Moha a rape victim told Kanere/ “Somali women raped at gun point”

“Leaders are only puppets, this is like blindfolding leaders, are we silent but keen on this game, we shall see if the change claimed will benefit the community or cause negative petition.”

– Said Nyial a refugee leader/ “Refugee Election in Kakuma”

“Please, we appeal to our friends not to accept any politician’s apology when things have gone wrong in Rwanda. There could be no genuine reason for Rwanda to initiate the cessation to us. Animal in the forest is protected but we Rwandans even when we flee for our lives we are handed over to one who is hunting us!”

– Said Jean Biragoye, an NGO staff/ “Rwandan refugees to lose ration cards”

“I have not seen my sister for two years now. Do we have a right to know if she is dead or alive?”

– A Victim’s relative appealing to Kanere journalist/ “Guards: Stop Exploitation and Abuse!”

“Election for the zonal management committee started in December. We’re yet to elect the camp leader, there’s a lot of delays and confusion.”

– An electoral committee member told Kanere/ “Refugee Election in Kakuma”

“No one assisted me when I fled, likewise when Rwanda is safe for me; I may not need UNHCR assistance to go back.”  
– J. Clare, Rwandan Female Refugee/ “The Rwandan Refugee Cessation Clause”

“Our security is bad; I don’t know why they killed my brother. We can’t live here like this every day after Dadaab camps.”
– Ahmed .M., Brother of the Victim/ “Murder at Kakuma2”

“They woke me up, then one of them put a gun near my neck and told me to choose death or produce money.”
– Sija, Ethiopian Male Survivor/ “Violent Robbery in Kakuma1”

“The security situation is fine, police patrols are on 24 hours and local refugee guards are also in liaisons with security agencies.”
– A.C., Anonymous Security Official / “Murder at Kakuma2”

“The bus was speeding and overloaded at the time of the accident, that was what I can recall.”
– Tura, Ethiopian Refugee/ “Tragic Accident”

“He slapped me and pinned me down on the floor. I couldn’t allow him to… I’d prefer to die than to be raped before the eyes of my own brother.”
– Mita, Ethiopian Female Survivor/ “Violent Robbery in Kakuma1”

“He has no mercy; he used to beat people like dogs at food distribution centers. We know him for bad things, now he has caused problems for our people.”
– David, Sudanese Group Leader in Zone2/ “Late-Night Brawl sends Infamous Police Officer to Hospital”

“There have been delays in the entire process, but new leadership camp elections are expected by March 2012.”
– Mohamed, Somali Electoral Committee Member / “Refugee Camp Election”

“I asked the police to explain what crimes were committed by my daughter. She was locked in for 8 days. But I was not informed of anything. The police officer told me to go and pay the fine for her release but I didn’t have money that week.”
– Hoden, Parent of Saira/ “Late-Night Brawl sends Infamous Police Officer to Hospital”

“It is written on paper, but how practical will it be? Let’s see what happens.”
– Marx, Primary School Teacher at Kakuma2/ “Refugee Camp Election”

“We should be consulted. We are human beings, what good do you think you do for refugees when we don’t see you doing it the right way?”
– Anonymous Refugee Shop Owner/ “Camp Planning and New Addressing System”

 “I had no control, I breastfed my baby before the house collapsed. The quick sleep overtook the baby and her elder sister who was also in the house due to the hot sun outside. I was frightened by the sudden collapse.”
– Mother of the late Niyomuremyi Blandine / “Collapsed Shelter Kills Infant, Injures Another”

“I was shocked to hear my children drowned a short time after having lunch together. I could not believe it when I found them already dead!”
– Sara, Mother of the Drowned Children/ “Two Refugee Children Die in Seasonal River in Kakuma”

“Exile is a different world. We’re merely alive and only better than death. We are not living normal life.”
– Elias Lemma, Ethiopian KANERE Journalist in Exile / “World Journalists meet at CPJ International Conference”

“The 1951 Convention refers to specific economic and social rights to which refugees are entitled, including the rights to gainful employment and education. The Convention also says that refugees are to be accorded the same treatment as nationals with respect to rationing system and public relief and assistance (arts. 20, 23).”

– 1951 Geneva Convection/ “Pay raise and termination targeting refugee incentive staff at Kakuma”

“As critical thinkers and journalists, we see these threats to KANERE’s operations as delegitimizing our voice. We seek a better approach for making inquiries into and achieving resolutions to KANERE’s cases with the police.”

– E.T., a member of Kanere’s Editorial Board/ “Escalating insecurity at KANERE”

“We shall have to make changes together. I want you to be the people who will transform and change your life for the better. Big responsibility lies in your hands. This tour aims to encourage all young people to speak for ourselves, for our world and for the provision of our needs,.”

– Monique Coleman in her speech at Kakuma / “Un Youth Champion visit to Kakuma”

“We have done so much together. I arrived in the camp when security was bad, when refugees were not able to sleep in their homes in peace but now they can have serenity in their homes.”

– Dr. Mohamed Qassim, UNHCR Head of Sub-Office Kakuma/ “World Refugee Day 2011”

“We are guided by laws to ask any question to any one.”

– A police officer in an interrogation of the KANERE Press Editor/ “Escalating insecurity at KANERE”

“Our shelters were made of mud and so they are in bad condition. If this rain continues for the next two days then all muddy shelter and makuti-roofed houses will be considerably damaged.”

– Mohamed Juma, a community leader in Kakuma one zone two/ “Kakuma draughts and floods”

“We used to have armed robbers attacking camp residents in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Currently the camp is free from attacks due to the collaborative work of security agencies. The camp is patrolled 24 hours to keep criminals out.”

– District Commissioner on behalf of the Ministry of State for Immigration and Registration / “World Refugee Day 2011”

“I saw a UNHCR official from community service who was adding new messages about the work of the field post on the boards and walls. Contrary to reality, that was to show visitors how things are done here for refugees.”

– M.S., a Somali refugee in block 8 zone 2/ “Un Youth Champion visit to Kakuma”

“The situation for youth is unbearable in Kakuma as most young people have dropped out of school and have become involved in risky activities and behaviors.”

– Z.M., a staff member of LWF Youth Development office / “Un Youth Champion visit to Kakuma”

“All parents wish to be paid salaries instead of incentives so they can have their children’s education paid for and can ensure that their children can access quality education that is not currently provided in the camp.”

– J.M., a health worker in Kakuma one/ “Pay raise and termination targeting refugee incentive staff at Kakuma”

“Refugees in the camp are not suffering people who ask for money. They are powerful and strong.”

– Jesper Bertelsen in an interview with KANERE journalist/ “Art on the Run”