One dead, two officers injured as protests rock Kakuma refugee camp

A section of Kakuma refugee camp. (Photo: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The unrest highlights the growing strain on humanitarian operations at Kakuma, where aid groups have been struggling to maintain services amid sharp funding cuts.

Tensions at the Kakuma refugee camp in northern Kenya boiled over on Monday, leaving one person dead and two police officers injured during protests linked to deepening frustrations over aid cuts and changes to food distribution systems.

The camp, which houses about 300,000 refugees from countries including South Sudan, Somalia, Uganda, and Burundi, has witnessed rising discontent in recent months as humanitarian assistance continues to dwindle.

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Images shared in WhatsApp groups within the camp and seen by AFP appeared to show a man with a serious head wound, an injured child, and another man hurt on the leg. However, AFP was not able to verify the images or confirm the reported death independently.

Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri confirmed that officers had been deployed following “some disturbances” at the camp, but did not report any fatalities.

He noted the effect of reduced foreign funding on the refugee situation, saying, “The recent decision by the US government to cut down on programmes related to USAID, for instance, is starting to affect the refugee situation.”

A man working near the camp, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, said around 100 people had gathered to protest, and that there were “multiple casualties.” He also mentioned that some refugees fear Kenya’s ongoing plan to convert the camp into a permanent settlement could lead to a loss of benefits.

John Thomas Muyumba, a local youth group founder in Kakuma, said many refugees were upset over the introduction of a new food distribution system that only supports the most vulnerable.

“Many refugees felt discriminated against,” he said. “They were telling me: ‘Aren’t we all refugees? Don’t we all deserve the same support?’”

According to Muyumba, the protest turned violent after police intervened. “Stones were thrown, and one store was set on fire. Police intervened and opened fire,” he said, claiming one man had died as a result.

The World Food Program confirmed that a fire had indeed broken out at its storage site in the Kalobeyei Settlement section of the camp. “WFP and the local authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and assessing any damage or losses,” it said in a statement without providing further details.

The unrest highlights the growing strain on humanitarian operations at Kakuma, where aid groups have been struggling to maintain services amid sharp funding cuts. With basic supplies now distributed more selectively, frustration among the camp’s population continues to rise.