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Noting that Somalis have been fleeing to Kenya for 25 years, the US official said “everyone understands the sort of fatigue Kenya is feeling from hosting its refugees.”

The US itself may admit more Somali refugees this year in order to help reduce the population of Dadaab, Ms McKelvey said.

She further noted that other countries, which she did not name, may likewise agree to resettle some of the 325,000 Somalis currently living in the Dadaab complex.

The State Department official also suggested that Kenyan citizens who have registered as refugees or who have married Somali refugees should be given a “free choice” of whether to stay in Kenya or go to Somalia.

“Kenya has assured everyone that it will proceed in full compliance with its international obligations,” Ms McKelvey noted.

That means enabling repatriations to take place voluntarily and in a safe and dignified manner, she said..."

http://www.nation.co.ke/news/World-understands-Kenya-refugee-fatigue/-/1056/3283468/-/rqii6l/-/index.html


Somali refugees get ready to board a bus in Dadaab on June 16, 2016 for voluntary repatriation to Somalia. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP