KANERE staff writer, May 3, 2020
A refugee from South Sudan died on April 26th while receiving treatment at IRC hospital in Kakuma 4. The deceased identified as Sunday Peter was a 22-year old resident of Kakuma 4, Block 1 Zone 2 and a Form One student at Vision Secondary school.
According to an eye witness, Sunday was caught on his way home while returning from dinner at his relative’s home. “On that day he was not alone. There were many but the rest managed to escape. Unfortunately, he was beaten by law enforcement officers and he was taken to the hospital for treatment.”
One of his close friends, who was with him during the incident, told KANERE that he is feels traumatized by the memory of the brutality.
Following his death, the UNHCR issued a press statement claiming that the office is profoundly saddened by the news, although they did not give details about the incident. However, social activists from host community raised concern that the incident might affect the peaceful co-existence between host community and refugee populations. On April 29, activists from the Turkana Voices tweeted that they are “angry that our police officers will continue with cruelty instead of care.” He added that “it is a human right to seek asylum and every person has the right to life and Justice.”
Kenyans have been living under curfew from March 27 and extended by more than twenty-one days recently to curb the spread of the pandemic.
One of the elders told KANERE that Sunday’s father refused to bury the deceased unless the police take responsibility for the death of his beloved son. The matter was resolved with the mediation by the community, UNHCR and the Camp authorities.
A close family member who wishes to remain anonymous told KANERE that “the deceased community elders and tribal leaders together with the father called for justice, such as resettlement for the family members to escape the trauma.”
The recent report by The Human right organizations accused Kenya police for shooting and beating people at Market even before the daily start of the curfew.