Kenya-Somalia border opening delayed amid security concerns

Kindiki emphasized that the delay in reopening the border points is necessary to address the recent surge in terror attacks and cross-border crime that has plagued the region in recent months conclusively.

The government aims to provide greater protection to its citizens while ensuring compliance with international obligations.

"The government will delay the planned reopening of Kenya-Somalia border points until we conclusively deal with the recent spate of terror attacks and cross-border crime" said Kindiki, 

Kindiki, speaking at a security briefing in Garissa, emphasized the importance of prioritizing national security and protecting the interests of both refugees and host communities.

He acknowledged that, while the vast majority of refugees are law-abiding people seeking refuge, a small number have used their refugee status to engage in criminal activities, including terrorist acts.

To address these concerns, Kenya implemented an updated and improved Refugee Act in 2022, aligning the country's policies with international treaties. The government is committed to upholding its obligations under these agreements. 

However, recent incidents have prompted a policy shift in the management of refugee databases.

The Government of Kenya will be responsible for managing and administering the database of all refugees in Kenya going forward.

"We will neither roll back nor backtrack on the implementation of the Refugee Act 2022 and its obligations as a signatory to international treaties," stated Kindiki. 

"However, we must take decisive action to safeguard the security interests of both genuine refugees and our host communities."

While the delay may be inconvenient for some cross-border traders, the government believes that the temporary measures are necessary to achieve long-term stability and security in the region.