Journey through Kakuma Refugee Camp in Turkana, Kenya.









 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

From ‘Down Kenya’ to the North: A journey from Nairobi to Lodwar.

Image
 Lodwar town, the administrative capital of Turkana County, is located in one of Kenya's most marginalized and remote places. Situated in the North-Western parts of Kenya, the town hosts the headquarters of the Turkana County Government and is a commercial hub buzzing with all kinds of businesses, mainly spurred by the presence of refugee camps in the nearby Kakuma town. It has an airport, usually used by humanitarian workers employed by various NGOs in the Kakuma refugee camp, government officers and others to travel to other parts of Kenya, mainly the capital city of Nairobi.  One of the buses ferrying passengers from Nairobi to Lodwar   To understand Turkana County, a little historical background is vital. It is popularly known as the 'Cradle of Mankind' following the discovery of early human fossils, particularly the 'Turkana Boy’ in Nariokotome near Lake Turkana in 1984, which is the most complete early human skeleton ever found. It is mainly inhabited by the Turka
Read more

What Makes up the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement?

Image
 For so many years, and in many fundraising posters and images, the picture portrayed of a refugee camp in Kenya is that of an establishment of hopeless, malnourished and naked children in a dusty and bare land. Some images show older people, mostly women lined up behind some fences, seemingly waiting for aid workers' help, who in this case are UNHCR officers. But that is not the factual reflection of a refugee camp. In reality, it is made up of so many things: different nationalities, schools, hospitals, markets, hotels, and even fish farms. A refugee camp like Kakuma, which has been in place for at least 30 years is a melting pot of cultures and a beehive of activities.  Reception area in Kalobeyei, Kakuma. This does not mean, however, that it is a pleasant place. As much as it is meant to be a place of protection and care for the thousands fleeing conflicts and persecution, it is also a mechanism of control where refugee lives are in constant risk of abuse, both by the host gove
Read more

Celebrating World Refugee Day in Kakuma-Kalobeyei: Hope away from Home

Image
The World Refugee Day 2023 (WRD), under the theme of 'Hope away from Home' was celebrated in Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Kakuma, Turkana County. Although the occasion was slated to take place on 20th June, in Kakuma, it was held on 19th, to pave way for national celebrations which took place in Nairobi.  Refugees from the Nuer Community waiting to perform at the WRD in Kalobeyei. In Kalobeyei, the day was marked in Village 2, and was graced by the Turkana County Governor, Hon Jeremia Lomurkai, the UN Refugee Agency Commissioner, Filippo Grandi, the Executive Director of the UN Habitat, Maimunah Sharif, Kenya's Principal Secretary for Immigration and Citizens Services, Hon Julius Bitok, the Commissioner General of the Department of Refugee Services, Hon John Burugu, the area Member of Parliament, Hon Epuyo amongst others.  During the event, the key message which was emphasized by most of the speakers was the promotion of self reliance for refugees and host communities
Read more