Forced Expulsions Undermine Kenya’s Reputation as a Safe Haven.

Over 3,000 refugees are currently seeking protection in Kenya, according to a rights group. Once a haven for those fleeing war and political persecution, Kenya is increasingly seen as a hostile environment for refugees, rights organizations warn.

This shift in perception follows the abduction of four Turkish refugees in Nairobi last month by masked men armed with guns—part of a troubling pattern of such incidents. Kenyan authorities claimed the four individuals, recognized as refugees by the UN, were deported at Turkey’s request due to accusations of treason.

Critics argue that Kenya has violated the principle of “non-refoulement,” which prevents the forced return of refugees to places where they may face persecution. This action has tarnished Kenya’s reputation internationally, with reports stating that CIA Director William Burns and MI6 Chief Richard Moore raised concerns about the deportations with President William Ruto during their recent visit.

Kenya’s refugee commissioner, John Burugu, declined to comment on the deportations, but senior foreign ministry official Korir Sing’oei noted the dilemma faced by the government. He emphasized that Kenya had to balance its diplomatic and humanitarian interests, particularly given the sensitive nature of the relationship with Turkey, which has strengthened after signing a military cooperation agreement with Kenya in July.

Kenya, with its stability and relative peace compared to neighboring countries, has long been a key destination for refugees from nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Rwanda, and South Sudan. The country now hosts over 800,000 refugees. However, rights organizations worry that it has become an increasingly dangerous place for those fleeing persecution.

There have been several instances where Kenyan authorities have been accused of collaborating with foreign security forces to apprehend individuals deemed threats. In one case, 36 Ugandan opposition supporters were abducted in Kenya and deported to Uganda without proper legal processes being followed. In another, Rwandan human rights defender Yusuf Ahmed Gasana disappeared after being abducted from his home in Nairobi.

Other high-profile cases include the abduction of South Sudanese refugee Mabior Awikjok Bak by men in police uniforms, the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif, and the extradition of Nigerian separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.

For refugees in Kenya, fear is pervasive. One Rwandan refugee, who has lived in Kenya for over a decade, shared his constant fear of being tracked down by those he fled from. “Going back home is not an option,” he said, adding that he and his family live in constant fear, with little protection from the Kenyan authorities.

More than 3,000 refugees and asylum seekers are currently under the protection of the Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK), an NGO that provides assistance to those fearing arrest, deportation, or extradition. Shadrack Kuyoh, lead researcher at RCK, emphasized that deporting refugees violates Kenya’s Refugee Act, which seeks to protect individuals from being returned to countries where they face harm.

The fate of the four Turkish refugees deported recently remains uncertain. They were believed to be part of the Gulen movement, a religious group that has been accused by Turkey of attempting a 2016 coup. The deportation followed the death of Gulen, raising concerns that Turkey may have used this opportunity to target his supporters. Bishop Willybard Kitogho Lagho, chair of the Interreligious Council of Kenya, described the deportees as “peace-loving” individuals involved in humanitarian work, highlighting the growing concern about the safety of refugees in Kenya.

Kenyan foreign policy analyst Edgar Githua suggested that the government should have referred the case to the UN Refugee Agency to avoid further criticism.

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