Kenya gets US support on repatriation of refugees from Dadaab

US President Barack Obama (left) and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta during a joint press conference in Nairobi on July 25, 2015. The two leaders agreed that the United States and Kenya would work closely together on the refugees issue to better ensure that the needs of refugees and host communities are met. AFP PHOTO | FILE 

By GERALD ANDAE, gandae@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• In a telephone conversation with President Obama on Friday, Mr Kenyatta said that the country will comply with its international legal obligations by upholding their dignity.
• The two leaders also discussed the challenges Kenya faces in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees for more than two decades and the need for strong international support.
• Kenya will from November start the process of repatriating refugees who have been staying at the Dadaab camp for the last 20 years.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his American counterpart Barrack Obama have agreed on the need to handle the planned repatriation of refugees with dignity and safety, the White House has reported.

In a telephone conversation with President Obama on Friday, Mr Kenyatta said that Kenya will comply with its international legal obligations by upholding their dignity.

The two leaders also discussed the challenges Kenya faces in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees for more than two decades and the need for strong international support.

“President Kenyatta reiterated that Kenya will continue to respect the dignity and safety of refugees in Kenya and comply with its international legal obligations,” says the report from White House.

The two leaders agreed that the United States and Kenya would work closely together on the issue to better ensure that the needs of refugees and host communities are met.

READ: Uhuru meets UN Security Council officials over Amisom, Dadaab refugee camp

Kenya will from November start the process of repatriating refugees who have been staying at the Dadaab camp for the last 20 years.

This is depite pressure from international organisations wanting the country to stop the exercise.

READ: Kenya to close refugee camps despite Obama, UN pleas

Mr Kenyatta also passed his condolences to the people of America following an attack in Orlando, Florida where scores of people died and others injured when a gunman opened fire on revellers at a gay club.

“President Obama spoke by phone today with President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya to accept President Kenyatta’s condolences following the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida,” the report added.

Mr Obama reiterated his appreciation for the strong partnership between Kenya and the United States on a host of issues, including combatting global terrorism and noted the progress Kenya has made on security.

READ: Somali president makes first ever visit to Dadaab camp