By Jacob Onuha Nelson
Some residents in Kakuma Camp have left for South Sudan as food ration shortages hit the camps.
According to UNHCR, Kakuma Camp is one of the largest South Sudanese refugee populations in the world, hosting a substantial population of over 148,000 South Sudanese refugees.
In an exclusive interview with this outlet on wednesday, Nartisio Rio Felix, the resident of Kalobeyei Camp, said the situation continues to worsen.
“Today, I am saying with a heavy heart. Some refugees in Kakuma are packing up their few belongings and setting out on foot to South Sudan,” Rio said.
“Not because life at home has become safe, but because life in the camp has become unbearable,” Rio added.
Sahil Taban Hilson, a resident of Kakuma One, confirmed that some refugees left Kakuma camp to Kakuma Town bus stage, while others used a shortcut through Uganda to reach South Sudan.
“I have seen mothers with babies strapped to their backs, fathers carrying sacks on them.
heads, and young children trailing behind, all walking under the burning sun while others also use the Uganda route to reach South Sudan,” Taban narrated.
Taban stressed that the shortage of food rations and unemployment had forced some residents to move.
Taban urged the government of South Sudan to intervene in its refugee’s situation in the
camp.
“Where is the South Sudan government that stands and speaks for unity, peace, and protection?
Where are you when your very people you claim to be your citizens are walking hundreds of
kilometres just to reach home,” Taban lamented.
“The silence is deafening, and the suffering is real,” Taban added.
Efforts to reach both the South Sudan and Kenya governments for comment were unsuccessful.
However, earlier this year the Kakuma refugees have been calling to be repatriated back to
their respective countries due to a shortage of food rations and the categorization policy by the United Nations Agency.