Human Rights and Refugees: The Case of Kenya1

That will be your home : Resettlement preparations for children and youth from the Horn of Africa

“…The involvement of an international organization meant increased attraction of external funds (Horst 2006). At the same time, according to some scholars (Cambell 2006;Verdirame 1999;Horst 2006) whereas the situation for the refugees pre-1991 has been described as a time when people from Somalia were allowed to move relatively freely, work and more easily become integrated into Kenyan society; the situation afterwards became more restrictive, with fewer opportunities for establishment (Campbell 2006;Verdirame 1999). According to Hyndman (2000) the status of "refugee" has entitled many people, who were forced to flee their homes, to basic shelter, food and social services in the camps but also made it difficult for them to acquire independent living.…”

“…Hence, camps were set up by UNHCR in 1991 across Kenya, among them those in Dadaab (Verdirame 1999). The involvement of an international organization meant increased attraction of external funds (Horst 2006).…”

Persecution of Christians in the Dadaab Refugee Camp

“…The Dadaab refugee camps were created in September 1991 (Ifo), March 1992 (Dagahaley), and June 1992 (Hagadera). These camps are maintained as closed territorial spaces (Hyndman 1999;Verdirame 1999), serving both to shelter and contain the refugees. 354 H. ADELMAN Dadaab camp itself consists of a central compound for all the agencies that are located in Dadaab and the three camps named above that are located anywhere from 6 to 17 km from the main compound.…”

In the shadows of marginality : an analysis of the 2006 Kenyan Refugee Act and urban refugee women

“…After These early refugees enjoyed a range o f rights which included: the ability to work, have business licenses, go to school, live where they pleased, as well as be able to access social services. Early refugees to Kenya were afforded numerous privileges because they were perceived as contributing extensively to the Kenyan economy through skilled work and financial investments (Veney, 2007 (Verdirame, 1999).…”

“…Prior to its closure in 1995, the Reception Centre, established in October 1981 at Thika a town in close proximity to Nairobi, hosted a number of refugees (HRW, 2002). The Reception centre was located in a suburb near Nairobi and was run by the Kenyan government (Verdirame, 1999). A main difference between Thika and the camps was that once refugees were assigned to camps they were required to live there.…”