Here is what Uhuru and Obama discussed on phone
Details of a phone call that President Uhuru Kenyatta made to US President Barack Obama on Thursday have been revealed.
According to a readout of the phone call posted on the White House website, President Kenyatta conveyed his condolences to President Obama for the Orlando terrorist attack of June 12.
The attack left 49 people dead after a gunman, identified as Omar Mateen, opened fire at a gay club in Orlando, Florida.
President Obama, on his part, reiterated expressed appreciation for the strong partnership between Kenya and the United States on various issues, including fighting global terrorism, noting the progress Kenya has made on security.
The leaders also agreed that both countries will work together to ensure the needs of refugees and host communities are met.
NATIONAL SECURITY
“The two leaders also discussed the challenges Kenya faces in hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees for more than two decades and the need for strong international support. President Kenyatta reiterated that Kenya will continue to respect the dignity and safety of refugees in Kenya and comply with its international legal obligations,” the readout stated in part.
Kenya’s Interior Ministry Principal Secretary, Karanja Kibicho, on May 7 in a statement said that the government had taken into consideration its national security interests and decided that its hosting of refugees had come to an end.
Kenya hosts around 550,000 refugees in two camps at Kakuma and Dadaab, the world’s largest, many of whom have fled decades of war in neighbouring Somalia.
“The message is clear, we are closing the camps and we will not accept more refugees in the country,” said Mwenda Njoka, interior ministry spokesman.
On May 11, Interiors Cabinet Secretary at a press conference said the government will spend Sh1 billion to repatriate refugees, as the country enhances its fight against terrorism.
