Kenya: Information on whether Kenya is expelling Ethiopian refugees
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 August 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | KEN24680.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Kenya: Information on whether Kenya is expelling Ethiopian refugees, 1 August 1996, KEN24680.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab7370.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on the expulsion of Ethiopian refugees could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB. However, the following information on the refugee situation in Kenya during the past year may be of interest.
In early 1995 President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya demanded the removal of refugees from the country, according to World Refugee Survey 1996 and a report from the Public Information Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (UNHCR 5 Mar. 1995; USCR 1996, 52). No mass evacuation of refugees took place, although the Kenyan government continued to ask for the closure of some refugee camps, and in November 1995 launched a crackdown on supposed illegal aliens in the country (ibid.; VOA 29 Nov. 1995). The Voice of America reported that the Kenyan government had stated that foreigners were posing as refugees in Kenya, and that "they would have to return to their countries of origin or stay in recognized refugee camps" (ibid.). The government had accused the refugees of being a security problem (ibid.; AFP 14 Dec. 1995). Inter Press Service reported in February 1996 that immigrants and refugees are threatened with detention for being "illegal aliens" during periodic identity card checks in Kenyan cities (21 Feb. 1996). The article states that the police usually relent after the payment of a small bribe (ibid.).
In April 1995 the UNHCR closed the largest refugee camp in Kenya following a four-month Somali repatriation program (Reuters 10 Apr. 1995). By the end of 1995 about 3,300 Ethiopians had participated in UNHCR repatriation programs, leaving some 4,000 Ethiopians in Kenya (AFP 29 Dec. 1995). For additional information on the repatriation of Ethiopian refugees, please consult the attached media reports and the Public Information Factsheet of the UNHCR.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 14 December 1995. "More Than 3,000 Foreigners Detained in Nairobi." (NEXIS)
Inter Press Service (IPS) 21 February 1996. L. Muthoni Wanyeki. "Kenya-Politics: New IDs Create Fear of Election Rigging." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 10 April 1995. Buchizya Mseteka. BC Cycle. "U.N. Shuts Down Biggest Refugee Camp in Kenya." (NEXIS)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 5 March 1995. "Moi Demands All Refugees Leave Kenya." (RefWorld/RefMonde Database UNHCR Press and Newswires (REFNEWS)\Writenet Bi-weekly Media Reviews\1 March-31 March 1995)
U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR). 1996. World Refugee Survey 1996. Washington, DC: USCR.
Voice of America (VOA) [Nairobi]. 29 November 1995. Alex Belida. "Kenya/Aliens." (WEB)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 29 December 1995. "Some 52,000 Refugees Leave Kenya in 1995." (NEXIS)
_____. 14 December 1995. "More Than 3,000 Foreigners Detained in Nairobi." (NEXIS)
Reuters. 24 March 1995. BC Cycle. "Ethiopian Refugees To Come Home in 1995." (NEXIS)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 5 March 1995. "Moi Demands All Refugees Leave Kenya." (RefWorld/RefMonde Database UNHCR Press and Newswires (REFNEWS)\Writenet Bi-weekly Media Reviews\1 March-31 March 1995)
_____. 31 January 1995. UNHCR Public Information Factsheets\Kenya. (RefWorld/RefMonde Database. Country and Region Information)
U.S. Committee for Refugees (USCR). 1996. World Refugee Survey 1996. Washington, DC: USCR, pp. 52-53..
Voice of America (VOA) [Nairobi]. 29 November 1995. Alex Belida. "Kenya/Aliens." (WEB)
Xinhua News Agency. 21 April 1996. "WFP Pledges 10.5 Million Dollars Relief Aid to Ethiopia." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 December 1995. "750 Ethiopian Refugees Return From Sudan." (NEXIS)
_____. 16 November 1995. "Over 50,000 Ethiopian Refugees To Return Home From Sudan." (NEXIS)
