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"id": 1547872,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " The Prime Cabinet Secretary, you may now proceed to respond."
},
{
"id": 1547873,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547873/?format=api",
"text_counter": 45,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
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"content": " Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I wish to respond as follows, but I seek your indulgence because it is a fairly elaborate response so that I can, hopefully, satisfy the concerns of the Member. Part (a) of the Question is on the information on the number of Kenyan refugees in Megado and Dillo towns. I will respond as follows. The Kenya Borena refugees arrived in Ethiopia in 2005/2006 and settled in the Borena zone of the Oromia region in Dillo and Megado settlements. Their displacement was triggered by a series of inter-ethnic conflicts in Marsabit County, particularly the conflict between Borana and the Gabra ethnic groups, over natural resources, grazing lands, contested and disrupted territorial boundaries and local political dynamics. Most of the refugees originate from Marsabit County in the following sub- counties - Saku in Marsabit area, North Horr, Maikona, Dukana and Moyale Sub-County. Upon arrival in Ethiopia, support and protection was initially provided by the Borana clan of the Oromia region in 2007. They were registered by the Administration of Refugees and Refugee Affairs (ARRA) of Ethiopia, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They have continued to live alongside the host community and ARRA is currently known as the Refugee and Returnee Service (RRS) of Ethiopia. On the number and population statistics, according to the Department of Refugee Services, over 500 families of Kenyan origin, living in the Dilo and Megado areas of Southern Ethiopia, ran away to seek asylum due to ethnic conflict in North Horr in the year 2000. The conflict culminated in what came to be known as the Turbi Massacre. The breakdown today as of 3rd of December is a statistic, but I will hand over this also to Parliament - We have a total of 2,060 in Dillo area, and in Megado, 3,600. In terms of households, these now comprise 1,250 households, 5,671 individuals, male are 2,788, female are 2,883 and children are 3,385 out of the total figure of 5,671. What are the solutions we are looking at? From 27th of October to 3rd of December, the RRS and the UNHCR conducted a verification of the Borana refugees in Dillo and Megado refugee settlements. During this period, an intentional survey was carried out to access the refugees who were willing to return to their home country, Kenya. In terms of households, this amounted to 1,098. In terms of individuals, this was 4,993. Notably, 88 per cent of the total refugee population expressed their intention immediately to return to Kenya. The refugees expressed interest to return to the following areas: Sololo - 1,836, Marsabit - 1,081, Moyale - 633, Oran – 491, Dukana – 325, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1547874,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547874/?format=api",
"text_counter": 46,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
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"content": "Moyale Township – 272, North Horr – 206, Maikona – 59, Sangate-Jaldesa - 40, Turbi – 13, Other areas - 37. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the majority of the refugees were not willing to return to their area of origin due to fear of ethnic conflict. They also preferred to move to areas that are inhabited largely by the Borana community. The Kenyan refugees in Ethiopia still retained their identity cards and are now willing to return home to Kenya voluntarily. The second part of the Question is about facilitation on the repatriation of the Kenyan refugees. The following are possible options- (1) There is an organized and facilitated return by the UNHCR. This requires a formal engagement between the governments of Kenya and Ethiopia and is formalized through a tripartite agreement that will include the UNHCR. It will require a rigorous process that entails internal survey to go and see visits, identification of settlement areas, signing of voluntary repatriation forms and other bureaucratic processes. This option may not be immediate as it requires time in order to fulfill all the requirements. (2) There is also the self-organized or self-return, which is usually spontaneous. The role of the UNHCR in this option will be limited to provision for information and funding to facilitate the return of the refugees. This option requires the Government of Kenya to facilitate receiving and resettlement of repatriated individuals. (3) Due to the proximity of the refugees to the Ethiopia-Kenya border, their families in Kenya, including the possibility that they cross over to Kenya to visit their families, UNHCR prefers the self-organized return. For repatriation to take place, the refugees must desire to return. The Kenya- Ethiopia government should engage in consultations facilitated by the UNHCR Regional Bureau and local UNHCR offices. Currently, as I said, 4,993 individuals have expressed their desire to return back to Kenya, and the process of repatriation should begin. The third aspect was the measures put in place to ensure successful reintegration of the repatriated refugees into the local community. This has quite a number of issues which I will try and run through. They may not be exhaustive, but it is important. There are a number of concerns which need to be addressed that have been expressed and should be addressed before repatriation can take place. These include the following- (1) Where will the displaced persons return to? How will they be accommodated? That is land, housing, among others. The refugees have been relying on humanitarian assistance to access basic services and they will need similar support until they are fully integrated. (2) We will have to deal with the issue about their safety and security in the settlement areas. There has to be a proper formal reception organized. (3) We also have to cater for the material safety of the younger generation who are born in Ethiopia. The refugees will require assurance of legal safety, rehabilitation, creation of livelihood opportunities, and in some instances, repossession of property, including ancestral land. (4) We will also have to address intermarriage, births in Ethiopia and confirmation of documentation for spouses and children. (5) There is also a need for mutual recognition of the documentation of issues to the refugees because we are dealing with the other country as well. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
},
{
"id": 1547875,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547875/?format=api",
"text_counter": 47,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
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"content": "Finally, on the question of whether the Government will compensate the refugees, I wish to respond as follows: The Government only facilitates return and reintegration into the Kenyan society for any Kenyan refugee granted asylum by any country. No compensations are paid by the Government for any returning Kenyan. What do we consider as the way forward? Repatriation of refugees should be undertaken for those who are willing to return as it must be voluntary, based on an informed choice and consent to return given by the refugees to avoid coercion and prosecution. It should also be done with dignity. We hope this process can commence as soon as possible. Kenya should also ensure refugees' returnees are safe, devoid of discrimination, provided with basic services and access to essential services to avoid being exposed to another cycle of displacement."
},
{
"id": 1547876,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547876/?format=api",
"text_counter": 48,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
},
"content": "We must also coordinate with the UNHCR, the Kenya Government and the Ethiopia Government to facilitate the return of the refugees, including the required legal formalities, particularly documentation. The send-off from Ethiopia and the reception in Kenya should be done simultaneously. We also have to do identification of settlement areas for the returning refugees in coordination with local authorities so as to guarantee safety and security in the resettlement areas."
},
{
"id": 1547877,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547877/?format=api",
"text_counter": 49,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
},
"content": "The Government will also be looking at how to ensure access to basic food and services such as health, education, non-food items, shelter and livelihood opportunities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I conclude, I wish to reiterate that the Ministry remains seized of the situation in the region. A lot has been done. However, much more remains to be done."
},
{
"id": 1547878,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547878/?format=api",
"text_counter": 50,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
},
"content": "The Ministry appreciates the continued support of the Senate and further requests that the Senate advocates for more resources to be put at our disposal for comprehensive data acquisition and integration to ensure that we remain seized and fully prepared for the changing dynamics globally."
},
{
"id": 1547879,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547879/?format=api",
"text_counter": 51,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Musalia Mudavadi",
"speaker_title": "The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Diaspora Affairs",
"speaker": {
"id": 84,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi",
"slug": "musalia-mudavadi"
},
"content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I submit."
},
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"id": 1547880,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547880/?format=api",
"text_counter": 52,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Kingi",
"speaker_title": "The Speaker",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Sen. Mohammed Chute, you may now proceed to ask your two supplementary questions."
},
{
"id": 1547881,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1547881/?format=api",
"text_counter": 53,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Chute",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13583,
"legal_name": "Chute Mohamed Said",
"slug": "chute-mohamed-said"
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"content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir. I really wonder. The Prime Cabinet Secretary is giving us stories. This is a literature that the Prime Cabinet is giving us and it is very unfortunate. My second question is very clear. The question is how are you going to ensure the refugees will be returned to Kenya? They have been there for many, many years. The answers you have given from (a) to (i) are a story of what you are going to do. You have not given us a timeline. You should have told the people of Marsabit and the people of this country that on this day, we will visit Ethiopia. On this day, we will sit with the government. On this day, we will bring these people back to Kenya. On this day, we will facilitate them on this and that. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}
]
}