NAIROBI (SD) – UN refugee agency has been asked to have road map on the definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps within two weeks, Kenya Interior Ministry confirmed.

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday issued the government directive to the UNHCR representative in Kenya Fathiaa Abdalla saying there is no room for further negotiations.

“CS Matiang’i issues UNHCR with a 14-day ultimatum to have a roadmap on definite closure of Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. Says no room for further negotiations,” read part of a tweet from the ministry.

Matiang’i who was accompanied by his Chief Administrative Secretary Hussein Dhado and Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho cited terror threats planned from Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps.

UNHCR urged Kenya to ensure that those who need protection continue to get it, and pledged to keep engaging in a dialogue.

“The decision would have an impact on the protection of refugees in Kenya, including in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement.

The camp which was established in 1992 and is jointly managed by the Kenyan Department of Refugee Affairs and UNHCR is home to more than 194,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

While Dadaab camp in Kenya’s northeastern region is hosting 224,462 refugees.