PS Omollo blames the upsurge of refugees in the country to volatile situation in the horn of Africa

Interior principal secretary Raymond Omollo now says that the conflict in the horn of Africa region has led to an upsurge of refugees who flee into the country through the porous borders in the wake of conflicts in their home countries.

 “The Great Horn of Africa has been a particularly volatile region marred with armed conflicts, climate change and poverty. All these have resulted in forced displacements and migrations of people, manifested in the mushrooming refugee camps in the region in general, and Kenya in particular.” said Omollo.

 The PS who was speaking during a meeting with joint representatives from the Department of Refugee Services under the State Department of Immigration and Citizen Services observed that Kenya is a soft spot for refugees owing to its relative peace and tranquility.

 He added that to curb the sky rocketing number of refugees in the country is an all inclusive marshal plan through a framework that adopts the whole of society approach to addressing the issues of refugees.

This societal approach is scheduled to bring on board, host communities, religious outfits, governmental and non-governmental organizations. According to the United Nations, most refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya originate from Somalia (53%).

 Other major nationalities are South Sudanese (25%), Congolese (10%), and Ethiopians (5.6%. Kenya is the second biggest refugee-hosting country in Africa after Ethiopia.