Kakuma and Kalobeyei (Kenya) : food aid suspended, the refugees’ anger mounts

SOS Médias Burundi

Kakuma, August 8, 2025 – The World Food Program (WFP) announced on Thursday, August 8, the indefinite suspension of food ration distribution in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps, located in northwest Kenya. This decision has sparked fierce protests among the approximately 200,000 refugees living in these camps, including more than 25,000 Burundians.

Kakuma is one of the largest refugee camps in Africa. It primarily hosts people from the Horn of Africa, Central Africa, and member countries of the East African Community. To cope with the growing influx of refugees, the Kenyan government has launched an expansion of the camp with the creation of Kalobeyei, an extension aimed at improving living conditions and promoting self-reliance.

Suspension motivated by security and resource constraints

The WFP justifies this suspension by citing growing insecurity in the region, which is endangering the safety of humanitarian workers and refugees. In its press release, the agency states :

“We will resume as soon as we assess that the safety of humanitarian workers and refugees in general is assured.”

This measure is also part of a new assistance policy based on refugee vulnerability, implemented in early July by the UNHCR and the WFP. Only the first two categories, considered the most vulnerable, continue to receive regular food assistance, given limited resources.

A majority left to fend for themselves, tensions erupt

More than 70% of refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei find themselves without food aid. This situation sparked violent protests last week, with barricades and blockades of NGOs, prompting law enforcement to intervene. Refugees denounce this inhumane policy, and local leaders deplore at least five deaths and a dozen injuries.

Calls for aid for all

Faced with this crisis, refugees are demanding a fair distribution of food aid, without distinction between categories.

“Who isn’t vulnerable when we fled war and poverty to seek refuge here in a desert?” they protest.

An alarming food shortage

The UNHCR admits that current stocks are insufficient to feed the entire refugee population.

“The remaining ration cannot cover the needs of more than 200,000 refugees,” explains an official.

A critical situation : closed schools and malnutrition

Since the suspension, schools have been closed and humanitarian activities paralyzed, leaving the camp in a near-ghost city. Malnutrition cases are increasing, particularly among children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly.

“The situation is dire, aggravated by the shortage of drinking water,” warns a local leader.

Community representatives are calling on the UNHCR to review its categorization, which it considers too restrictive.

SOS Médias Burundi is closely monitoring this major humanitarian crisis and will continue to inform its readers of developments in Kakuma and Kalobeyei.