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Tensions erupted in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp as police clashed with protesters demanding adequate food supplies, leaving at least four people wounded by gunfire. The unrest, which unfolded on Monday, was driven by growing frustration over severe food rationing, which has left thousands of refugees struggling to survive.
Kakuma, one of the largest refugee camps in Africa, is home to people fleeing conflicts, political instability, and environmental disasters in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The protest was sparked by dwindling food supplies, a direct result of funding shortages that have forced humanitarian organizations to scale back aid distribution.
According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), food rations at the camp have been reduced to just 45% of the minimum required amount due to financial constraints. The organization, which provides essential supplies such as grains, beans, and cooking oil, has repeatedly warned of worsening shortages caused by declining contributions from donor nations.
A refugee from South Sudan, John Garang, expressed his frustration while holding up a four-liter pot. “This is the container they are now using to measure beans and oil, and another one for rice. This is supposed to last an entire month. Imagine having no other source of income—could you survive on this?” he asked.
For years, international aid agencies have struggled to secure stable funding for refugee camps in Kenya and beyond. The WFP’s recent decision to shut down its office in South Africa further highlights the challenges it faces, especially in light of foreign aid cuts by the United States and other key donors. The organization has repeatedly warned that without urgent intervention, food shortages will only get worse, putting millions of displaced people at risk of malnutrition and starvation.
Kenyan authorities have been working toward a long-term solution by transitioning refugees from traditional camps into integrated settlements. The government has already designated Kakuma and Dadaab as municipalities, signaling a shift from donor-dependent refugee camps to more sustainable living conditions. However, the slow pace of this transition has left many refugees in limbo, forced to rely on ever-decreasing food rations with no immediate relief in sight.
The violent clashes on Monday underscore the desperation felt by refugees who have seen their food supplies dwindle while waiting for lasting solutions. Witnesses reported that police used live ammunition to disperse the demonstrators, further escalating tensions in an already volatile situation.
Human rights organizations have condemned the excessive use of force, calling for an immediate investigation into the violence. Advocacy groups argue that the focus should be on addressing the root cause of the protests—hunger and inadequate support—rather than criminalizing those who are simply fighting for their survival.
As the crisis unfolds, pressure is mounting on the Kenyan government and the international community to step in and find sustainable solutions. Without urgent intervention, similar protests could become more frequent, putting both refugees and host communities at risk of further instability.
The situation in Kakuma is a stark reminder of the broader refugee crisis facing the world. With global displacement at record levels and humanitarian funding stretched thin, millions of vulnerable people continue to bear the brunt of political and economic decisions beyond their control.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining how this crisis is managed. Whether through increased funding, policy changes, or alternative food supply strategies, action must be taken before the situation spirals further out of control.