Volume 1, Issue 2 / January 2009
Our beautiful world contains a lot of good things but lacks peace. It is no surprise for refugees in Kakuma Camp to experience peace for a short time and then watch it disappear. So it is significant news that Kakuma Refugee Camp experienced nearly constant peace during the last two months.
During the months of December 2008 and January 2009, peace has been maintained on a fairly constant basis throughout the camp. According to a senior police officer, there was no serious crime in Kakuma and only a few incidents of theft during this time.
Kakuma Refugee Camp had undergone terrible instability during last three years. Frequent attacks by unknown bandits ravaged refugee properties, and sometimes caused refugees to lose their lives. For instance, on the 7 and 13 of May 2008, two refugees were fatally shot in separate incidents. Again in July 2008, a refugee lost his life at the hands of a stranger. These problems caused refugees to feel miserable and frightened.
In July 2008, the Government of Kenya and UNHCR brought more troops to collaborate with the Kenyan Police to enforce order in the camp. The troops were drawn from the GSU (General Services Unit), a special unit of the Kenyan Police known for their rapid response.
Since GSU arrived in July 2008, the camp has glimpsed a new measure of peace and stability. The refugee society became more cheerful, and people deeply appreciated the increase in peace.
When asked when the GSU are expected to depart from Kakuma, the senior police officer said he didn’t believe the GSU would depart.
There are three Kakuma Police bases in the refugee camp, and police patrols cover the entire refugee camp on a daily basis.