Violet, 28 and a former IDP (internally displaced person) due to the post-election violence, has just returned home to Geta, near Kitale. However, ‘home’ is now a tent because her house was totally destroyed during the clashes. IRC is gathering local women’s groups together and giving them knitting and crochet materials, so they have a way to spend their time safely, together in one place. At the same time, we’re giving them information on preventing and reporting gender-based violence. It’s a sensitive subject, but women are slowly starting to talk about previous experiences, although they usually talk of a ‘friend’s’ experience rather than saying it’s something that’s happened to them personally.

“I’m very happy to finally come home from Noigam camp. I’m not scared because it’s secure here – there’s a police station nearby and we have the army too. I’ve enjoyed sitting with my friends in the women’s group and also learning how to knit. It gives us something to do together. But the most important things now for my family are shelter during the bad weather, as well as getting general items for my house. I lost everything in the violence so we need help.”

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.