KENYA: Catholic Bishop Warns of Establishing an ‘Islamic State’ in Northern Kenya
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| Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin |
The Catholic
Bishop of Garissa Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Darmanin has warned the government of the
establishment of an Islamic state in Northern Kenya if care is not taken of relocating
the Daadab refugees back to Somalia.
Speaking on
the sidelines of the Kenyan Bishops Ad
Limina visit to the Vatican, Bishop Darmanin said that the relocation will
only become useful if it is accompanied by deliberate efforts by both the National
and County Governments to allocate more resources to the region and also if
there is a guarantee that refugees will continue to receive humanitarian
assistance after relocation.
the sidelines of the Kenyan Bishops Ad
Limina visit to the Vatican, Bishop Darmanin said that the relocation will
only become useful if it is accompanied by deliberate efforts by both the National
and County Governments to allocate more resources to the region and also if
there is a guarantee that refugees will continue to receive humanitarian
assistance after relocation.
The Bishop’s
stand comes after some leaders of the Kenya government proposed to relocate the
camp back to Somalia, saying it has become the springboard for terror attacks
in the country.
stand comes after some leaders of the Kenya government proposed to relocate the
camp back to Somalia, saying it has become the springboard for terror attacks
in the country.
Bishop
Darmanin said that he cannot rule out the link between the camp and terrorism.
He said, “Most of the Somali refugees inside the camp still maintained close
links with relatives, friends and clansmen across the border in Somalia.”
Darmanin said that he cannot rule out the link between the camp and terrorism.
He said, “Most of the Somali refugees inside the camp still maintained close
links with relatives, friends and clansmen across the border in Somalia.”
“The nature
of our society is to protect family and friend. The people in the camps cannot
report dangerous criminals among them because they are members of their families,”
he said adding that “The Government must also consider the delicate
relationship between the Kenyan Somali community and Somali refugees.”
of our society is to protect family and friend. The people in the camps cannot
report dangerous criminals among them because they are members of their families,”
he said adding that “The Government must also consider the delicate
relationship between the Kenyan Somali community and Somali refugees.”
The bishop,
whose jurisdiction covers Dadaab refugee camp, said that in reality many
refugees have already settled down and are more well off and comfortable than
even career civil servants working in the area. “Just an example; many Kenyan
Somalis have been registered in the refugee camp and go there regularly to get
food rations and other disbursements, this is dangerous,” he said.
whose jurisdiction covers Dadaab refugee camp, said that in reality many
refugees have already settled down and are more well off and comfortable than
even career civil servants working in the area. “Just an example; many Kenyan
Somalis have been registered in the refugee camp and go there regularly to get
food rations and other disbursements, this is dangerous,” he said.
Dadaab – at
one time the largest refugee camp in the world – was opened in 1991 after the
collapse of the Somali Government. The camp has attracted attention following
the April 2 2015 terror attack on Garissa University College that left 148
people dead and scores of others injured.
one time the largest refugee camp in the world – was opened in 1991 after the
collapse of the Somali Government. The camp has attracted attention following
the April 2 2015 terror attack on Garissa University College that left 148
people dead and scores of others injured.
By National Mirror, Waumini
Communication KCCB
Communication KCCB
