MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The closure of the camp was first announced by Karanja Kibicho, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Interior Ministry, earlier this month.
"The camp was a security threat, a haven for terrorism and conduit of contraband goods as well as a danger to the environment… We are looking forward to discussions on how best to fast-track the repatriation of refugees process so that they can go back and contribute to rebuilding of their country," Ruto said, speaking at the World Humanitarian Summit, as quoted by the politician's press service.
Kenya hosts more than 600,000 people at refugee camps in the northern part of the country which were established in early 1990s. Most refugees come from war-torn Somalia and unstable South Sudan. The Dadaab complex that includes five camps hosts about 350,000 people and is the largest refugee facility in the world.
Last year Joseph Nkaissery, the cabinet secretary of the Kenyan Interior Ministry, said that refugee camps, particularly the Dadaab complex, are sources of terrorism. After al-Shabaab terrorists’ attack on Garissa University College on April 2, 2015, Kenya repatriated more than 4,200 Somalian refugees under the UNHCR assisted program.
