German-bound refugees returned to Kakuma amid uncertainty
Many had sold off their belongings in anticipation of starting new lives in Germany.
Hundreds of refugees from Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp who had been set for relocation to Germany have been sent back to the camp, following a sudden freeze on new resettlement applications by the German government.
The unexpected suspension has left many hopeful migrants in limbo, with no clear timeline on when or if the programme will resume.
Frustration and disappointment gripped 183 refugees at Nairobi's YMCA hostels on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, as they prepared to return to the camps after weeks of waiting.
Many had sold off their belongings in anticipation of starting new lives in Germany, only to have their hopes dashed after the German government abruptly paused all resettlement applications.
The group, drawn from more than five countries, had already received visas and travel tickets, spending three weeks in Nairobi in anticipation of their departure.
Their plans were abruptly halted, leaving them stranded and uncertain about their future.
Speaking in distress, Clement Makonde, one of the affected refugees, said they were informed their flight had been suspended due to elections in Germany.
"We were told that there is an election going on in Germany. So, our flight was suspended on day seven. We are now being told to go back to the Kakuma refugee camp, where so many of us have faced threats. So, we are here, we want you to help us," he said.
Makonde added that many have lost everything in anticipation of resettlement, including pulling their children out of school.
Human rights lawyer Fatuma Adan urged the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to intervene, saying most of the refugees are unwilling to return to the camps.
"The key thing is none of them want to go back to Kakuma. So, it’s really unfortunate that they’re being taken back against their wish. My hope is that UNHCR steps in and IOM halts this process," she said.
In a statement, the UN refugee agency confirmed that Germany had advised it to halt all new resettlement submissions as of March 2025.
"On 5th May 2025, the planned departure of 183 refugees to Germany was postponed until further notice," the statement read.
UNHCR noted that it is actively engaging with German authorities to resume the programme and assured affected refugees that their cases remain active unless formally closed.
UNHCR has advised refugees not to sell their shelters, quit jobs, or take loans based on unconfirmed travel plans.
The agency said it would assist in replacing refugee ID documents, returning them to their original shelters, and providing basic household items.
Kakuma Refugee Camp, established in 1992, currently hosts over 303,000 registered refugees from countries including Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, DRC, and Uganda.
The World Food Program has also announced severe food aid cuts, leaving over 720,000 refugees in Kakuma, Dadaab, and Kalobeyei facing a food crisis.
