Widespread protests have rocked Kakuma Refugee Camp in north-western Kenya on Monday, as refugees and asylum seekers took to the streets in anger over severe food and water shortages. According to local media reports, the situation escalated when police fired live bullets at the demonstrators in an attempt to quell the unrest.
Residents of the camp, which is one of the largest in the world, are increasingly frustrated with deteriorating living conditions. Many have reported struggling to access basic necessities, including food, clean water, and medical care. The shortages come amid significant reductions in humanitarian aid to the camp, which has been affected by funding cuts from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Kakuma Refugee Camp, home to approximately 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily houses individuals fleeing conflicts in neighboring South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. According to Amnesty International, the camp has been a crucial sanctuary for displaced people in the region, but recent developments have exacerbated an already dire situation.
A Congolese refugee in the camp, Mama Kayembe, shared her frustration with the ongoing crisis. “Since (Donald) Trump became president, now Kenyans have shifted all the blame on him. Workers are not getting paid and it is blamed on Trump. No medication in hospitals – it’s Trump, now we have to pay for school fees and it’s Trump, everything is Trump. We are tired of Trump,” she said.
The reduction in aid has not only led to a growing humanitarian crisis but has also contributed to rising insecurity within the camp. Tensions are mounting as refugees face hunger, limited medical services, and insufficient educational opportunities for their children. The situation has led to an increase in frustration and unrest, with residents demanding immediate action from both the Kenyan government and the international community.
Local authorities have warned that if the aid situation does not improve, the situation in Kakuma could spiral further out of control. Without alternative sources of funding, there are concerns that both the refugee population and security in the camp could deteriorate further, potentially leading to more violence and unrest.
As the protests continue, humanitarian organizations are calling for urgent intervention to address the needs of the refugees and restore vital aid to the camp. The future of Kakuma remains uncertain as the situation on the ground worsens.
