Kenya: Rains can’t dampen World Refugee Day

Some of the IRC team in Kenya all logo’d up ready to promote our work. Photo: Joanne Offer/The IRC This year’s theme was protection, so the International Rescue Committee talked about the need for more awareness-raising around the Refugees Act here in Kenya. Country director Kellie Leeson said the 2006 Act, which confers rights on refugees, was a major step forward in protecting refugee communities. But she called for the Kenya government to release clear regulations on how to implement the complex act, “so that refugees can have their rights protected effectively and consistently across Kenya.”

Kenya country director Kellie Leeson talks to a local radio journalist about our work in Kenya. Photo: Joanne Offer/The IRC The UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, also used the day to raise awareness about the plight of refugees, in particular those from Somali. He said more must be done for their hope for “an Africa at peace”. As an organization working with thousands of Somali refugees, IRC in Kenya joins the Commissioner in his plea.