Kenya Receiving 20 South Sudanese Refugees Daily

(NAIROBI) – Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has informed the Senate that the country is currently receiving at least 20 South Sudanese refugees every day, due to the ongoing political crisis in South Sudan.

The conflict, which has escalated into renewed tensions between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, has led to Machar being placed under house arrest, worsening political instability and increasing insecurity.

Speaking during a Senate plenary session on Thursday, Mudavadi said the government is addressing the growing number of refugees through the Ushirika initiative.

The programme aims to integrate long staying refugees into the Kenyan economy and society, especially those who were born in Kenya or have been in the country for decades. Kenya has hosted refugees for over 35 years, with Kakuma and Daadab being the major camps.

Mudavadi explained that Ushirika is designed to allow refugees to contribute to the development of the country. He emphasised that many refugees, particularly children born in the camps, deserve the opportunity to participate in local economic activities as part of a structured integration approach.

The Senate was also informed of the status of Kenyan Borana refugees who fled to southern Ethiopia during ethnic violence in 2006 and 2007. Out of the 5,643 Kenyan Borana who moved to Ethiopia, about 4,993 still retain their Kenyan identity cards and have expressed interest in voluntarily returning home.

Mudavadi clarified that while the government supports voluntary return and reintegration, it does not offer compensation for any returning Kenyan refugee. He also pointed out that many displaced persons remain hesitant to return to their original communities due to the fear of renewed ethnic violence.

He referred to the displacement of over 500 families of Kenyan origin from the North Horr region in 2000. The violence culminated in what is now referred to as the Turbi massacre, prompting many families to seek asylum in the Ditto and Megado areas of southern Ethiopia.

Responding to a question from Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute, who sought clarity on the number of Kenyan refugees in Megado and Dillo, Mudavadi said the government is working closely with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the governments of Ethiopia and Kenya to facilitate the repatriation process.

He said the coordination involves ensuring the necessary legal documentation is in place, alongside planning the departure from Ethiopia and reception into Kenya. The repatriation is expected to be carried out in a coordinated manner between the three parties.

South Sudan remains one of the largest sources of refugees in East Africa due to political tensions, insecurity and humanitarian challenges.