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The formal voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from Kakuma Refugee Camp got underway on Saturday 17th December 2005.
While the head of the UNHCR’s office in Kakuma admitted this first official movement was “symbolic”, given the small numbers involved, he did express the hope that the successful return of this group of refugees would herald the beginning of a larger movement of Sudanese back home to re-establish themselves in their homeland. The host community were commended for the many years of hospitality extended to the refugees despite the scarce resources and the harsh environment.
The Minister for Immigration and Registration of Persons, Gideon Konchellah was the guest of honour. Also present from the Kenya government were the Minister for East African Regional Cooperation, John Koech, and the Minister for Special Programmes and MP for Turkana North, John Munyes.
Representatives of diplomatic missions in Kenya were also in Kakuma for the event, including representatives from the Italian, Norwegian and US embassies. The UNHCR’s Country Representative (Kenya), George Okoth-Obbo, and the Director of Operations for Sudan, Jean-Marie Fakhouri were also present. Representatives of agencies operating in Kakuma witnessed the occasion together with some of their Nairobi-based staff.