Refugee crisis in Kiunga: Lamu County heightens medical surveillance to prevent disease outbreak
At least 482 refugees, mostly women and children, are being hosted by local families in Kiunga after they fled clashes that erupted between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Jubaland Regional Forces in December 2024.
County heightens health screening, surveillance for children on Kiunga border as Somalia refugee crisis escalates
The Lamu County Department of Health has heightened its surveillance and efforts in research, testing and providing medical services and vaccinations for refugee children on the Kenya-Somalia border.
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This follows an influx of refugees from neighbouring Somalia who are residing in Kiunga.
At least 482 refugees, mostly women and children, are being hosted by local families in Kiunga after they fled clashes that erupted between the Somali National Army (SNA) and Jubaland Regional Forces in December 2024.
The heightened medical surveillance is meant to prevent the spread of infectious diseases following the continued influx of refugees from Somalia.
During an interview with The Eastleigh Voice, Lamu County Health, Sanitation and Environment Executive Mbarak Bahjaj, who is also the Lamu Deputy Governor said they have deployed sufficient health experts and field inspectors, where they have been taking samples among refugees, especially the children, to determine if there are any diseases, including Tuberculosis (TB), measles, polio and so on.
Dr Mbarak did not hide his concern that the current situation in Kiunga is not good as the arrival of the refugees has increased costs, especially health needs.
He urged various stakeholders to come forward to distribute sufficient medicines to the refugees, especially the women and children.
According to statistics from the Lamu County Health Department, the number of refugee children in Kiunga town has reached 100.
“We have intensified our disease screening campaigns, especially for measles, TB and polio in the border area. To be honest, there is a risk of an outbreak of infectious diseases among children and even adults in Kiunga due to the presence of Somali refugees. The health requirements, especially medicinal drugs, have increased to the point of overwhelming us as health officials here in Lamu. It is my humble appeal that more stakeholders come forward to help meet the health and even food needs of refugees and locals in Kiunga,” said Dr Mbarak.
The Health Executive, however, thanked the Red Cross Society, Lamu branch, for its efforts in providing humanitarian assistance and food for the Somali refugees living in Kiunga.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy when he launched food distribution to Somali refugees living in Kiunga on the border of Kenya and Somalia on January 26, 2025. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
Regular medical visits
“As the health department and the Lamu county government in general, we have been collaborating with the Kenya Red Cross to carry out regular medical visits, screenings and motivational sessions for the refugees. This has helped a lot in controlling the spread or outbreak of the disease in the border area. We still need more support,” said Dr Mbarak.
Lamu County Kenya Red Cross Society Coordinator Abdulhakim Mahmoud told The Eastleigh Voice that the number of refugee families from Somalia had increased from 108 last month to 180 currently which translates to a total of 482 individuals, including adults and children.
Abdulhakim said they have been offering humanitarian aid to the refugees since last month.
He was, however, quick to say that more still needs to be done to ensure the families stay comfortably at Kiunga.
Notable challenges currently faced include inadequate food, medication, and water treatments among others.
“We urge for medical outreaches to be organized for the betterment of these refugees. Water treatments are also among crucial issues requiring urgent redress,” said Abdulhakim.
Contacted, Lamu East Deputy County Commissioner, George Kubai raised concern over the continued influx of the Somalia refugees to Kiunga, adding that plans are in place to have them controlled and accounted for.
“We’re aware we’ve families and relatives on either side that’s Kenya and Somalia. So, initially, these refugees used to come in small numbers and get hosted by relatives and friends. Unfortunately, the trend has now graduated to an uncontrolled movement of Somali immigrants to Kenya,” said Mr Kubai.
He added, “We’re considering a situation where these refugees ought to be controlled and placed in one place that can make it easy for them to be accounted for. This will also enable them to get assistance easily. The plan to control their movement and stay is also crucial, especially for the security aspect.”
But where exactly did the Somalia dispute arise that led to the current situation, including having some citizens seeking refuge in Kenya's Kiunga Town?
A constitutional crisis took shape in Somalia when the Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, changed the Constitution of Somalia on April 30, 2024.
Some of the Somali refugees at Kiunga on the Kenya-Somalia border. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
The change was opposed by the President of Puntland Said Abdullahi Deni.
As a result, Puntland withdrew its recognition of the Federal Government of Somalia and declared itself an independent state citing Article 4 of the Puntland Constitution.
On December 11, 2024, drama broke out and escalated with the exchange of fire between the Somali National Army (SNA) and the Jubaland Regional Forces, a situation that resulted in several troops from SNA being captured by those of Jubaland after surrendering at their Ras Kamboni camp.
The clashes also saw more than 900 soldiers from the Somalia Federal government flee and find solace in Ishakani Village in Lamu, Kenya.
Flight ban
On December 24, 2024, the Federal Government of Somalia imposed a flight ban on Jubaland, including all flights to and from Jubaland, particularly affecting the cities of Kismayo and Doolow.
The flight ban was initiated amid ongoing political tensions and military engagements after Jubaland forces reportedly defeated SNA in several locations, including Ras Kiamboni, Kulbiyow and Dolow.
It is worth noting that Kenya has been monitoring the situation with several push-for talks undertaken between Mogadishu and Kismayu to completely quell the tensions.
Towards the end of last year, a delegation of mediators from Kenya was led by the former IGAD Executive Secretary, Mahboub Maalim, the former IGAD Special Representative for Somalia, Mohamed Abdi Affey, and the former senator for Wajir County, Abdirahman Ali Hassan arrived in Kismayo to meet President Ahmed Madobe, after President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, requested from the Kenyan government to work towards finding a solution to the tensions between Jubaland and Federal Government of Somalia.
On January 9, 2025, the Jubaland State Cabinet accused Somalia’s federal government of using international humanitarian aid meant for Jubaland's people to support armed conflicts in the region.
Jubaland officials claimed that food and resources donated by other countries were not given to the people who needed them.
Instead, they say the federal government is using the aid to fund violence in Jubaland.
As the disagreements surged on, some citizens of Somalia opted to take refuge and continued to live in Kiunga in Kenya owing to fear of getting caught up in the clashes and military engagements uncertainties.
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