This statement just in from HRW:

“As long as Kenya denies Somali refugees secure legal status and threatens to close camps and deport them, refugees will feel they have no choice but to go home with UN return support cash instead of being forced out with nothing.

Extending the Dadaab camp closure deadline is better than deporting refugees in two weeks’ time but with the new May 31 deadline hanging over them, Somali refugees will continue to feel that they have to leave.

Such coerced returns are illegal. Kenya should end its threats to close the Dadaab camps and the UN refugee agency and donors should press Kenya to publicly reassure Somalia refugees they are welcome in Kenya until it safe for them to return.”