DRC Nationals Directed to Refugee Camp in Kenya

Over the past weekend, a significant number of foreign nationals were arrested in Kenya due to issues related to illegal presence in the country. Specifically, twelve individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were apprehended in Kapsabet Town. Upon being presented before a court, based on their expressed wishes, they were directed to be taken to the Kakuma refugee camp located in Turkana and handed over to Ugandan authorities. This refugee camp, situated in Kenya, is home to a diverse population, including refugees from countries such as the DRC, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi.

The decision to send these DRC nationals to the refugee camp and to Uganda was motivated by their reluctance to return to their home country. They explicitly communicated this to the court, leading to the subsequent order. While the repatriation process was still in progress, these individuals were detained at a local police station.

In a related incident, the police also took into custody thirteen Ethiopian nationals who were found to be in Kenya without the necessary legal documentation. A group of seven, all aged between 15 and 25, were caught in Maktau, Taita Taveta. They were waiting for assistance to cross the border into Tanzania with the ultimate goal of reaching South Africa, which they believed offered more lucrative employment opportunities. This group now awaits their arraignment and the potential of being sent back to Ethiopia.

Additionally, another contingent of six Ethiopian men were intercepted in Kehancha, situated in Migori County, while they were on their way to Tanzania. It appears they were left stranded in the Kiomakebe region by a person responsible for transporting them through the Kenya-Tanzania border near Isibania. Their journey had begun at the Moyale border and had seen them pass through various towns including Nairobi, Narok, Kisii, and Migori, before they were detained on October 13th. The absence of required immigration documents led to their arrest, and they are due for a court appearance before probable repatriation to Ethiopia.

In another incident in the Malaika region of Kakamega, two more Ethiopians were arrested. They were being transported on a motorcycle, and their apprehension was possible due to the vigilance of the local residents who informed the police. This particular pair was en route to the Sigalagala direction.

From these series of incidents, it’s evident that there’s an increasing trend of Ethiopian nationals trying to pass through Kenya, frequently with the intent of reaching South Africa or countries in the Middle East. The police have noted that the Moyale route, starting from Ethiopia, is a popular choice for these migrants. They undertake these perilous journeys, often unaware of the associated risks. The police regularly encounter and arrest such individuals in various parts of the country as they transition through Kenya, aiming for their intended destinations.