Kenya says Dadaab, Kakuma refugee camps to close next year

The announcement follows a meeting between President Kenyatta and UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi.

Kenya’s government has said it told the United Nations’ refugee agency (UNHCR) it will close two refugee camps hosting more than 400,000 people by June 30 next year. The announcement by the interior ministry on Thursday followed a meeting between Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi about the status of the Dadaab and Kakuma camps. Most of the 433,765 refugees and asylum seekers living at the settlements are from Somalia and South Sudan. “A joint team comprising officials from the Kenyan government and the (UN Refugee) agency will therefore be formed to finalise and implement a road map on the next steps towards a humane management of refugees in both camps,” a joint statement said.