9th May, 2008
23 Jan 2008 
The Government of Kenya has decided to close the camp for internally displaced people at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi where hundreds of families displaced in the post-election violence have been living. Consequently, the refugees have been asked to return to their homes by tomorrow, January 23rd.
The closure was announced despite strong lobbying by AMREF and other non-governmental organisations, including UNHCR, UNICEF, RED CROSS, IRC and MAP, who felt that the move was hurried. They asked that the government allow at least two weeks for orderly and humane repatriations.
But Nairobi West District Commissioner, Mr Evans Owankwa, who held a meeting with the NGOs yesterday, reiterated the government’s decision to shut the camp, arguing that calm had returned to most parts of the city, and the country, and security had been restored. He said that many of the people flocking into the camp now, particularly at mealtimes, were not genuine refugees but, paused a new security risk. Those leaving the camp would be given food and other essential supplies he said, while any one who will not have left by Wednesday will have their cases reviewed on individual basis and relocated to chiefs’ camps and churches in Kibera and parts of the city.
Although a few of the displaced people began moving out yesterday, many others were unhappy with the decision, saying that they had nowhere to go, as their homes and businesses had been burnt. Others said their houses had been occupied by other people and they did not know how they would get them out.
Following this decision, it was agreed that all relief work should continue as usual until Wednesday this week. By yesterday, AMREF had completed construction of 8 out of 12 toilets, and three bathroom blocks with four washing areas each. Four out of five water tanks had been installed, and five volunteers had already done a lot of education on sanitation and hygiene among the refugees.
“We are waiting to see what happens tomorrow before we decide what to do next,” said Gerald Rukunga, AMREF’s Head of Water and Sanitation. “In the meantime, we are considering installing the fifth water tank at Olympic Primary School in Kibera, where most children from the slum learn, and to relocate the remaining four toilets for use in the community.”
Tomorrow, Wednesday 23rd, AMREF holds a meeting for donor agencies, corporate leaders, and the diplomatic corp to highlight AMREF’s views on the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, and particularly the ‘silent emergency’ beyond the IDP camps, with focus on communities that are isolated within informal settlements and who cannot access basic services because of fear and insecurity. Those most adversely affected are women and children, whom AMREF intends to target in its outreach services to the community through services such as maternal care, family planning services and immunisation. Also targeted are TB and HIV/AIDS care.
For further information please contact: Bob Kioko – Communications Manager, on +254 20 6993111 or Cell: +254 735 546440, email: bob.kioko@amref.org Betty Muriuki – Writing Manager, on +254 20 6993327, Cell: +254 726 261495, email: betty.muriuki@amref.org |
