Five Kakuma refugee camp workers involved in fraud, UN says

Wednesday May 31, 2017

An aerial view of Kakuma town. The UN refugee agency said on May 30, 2017 five workers at the Kakuma refugee camp were involved in fraud. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Five UN workers at the Kakuma refugee camp were allegedly involved in fraud and other serious misconduct, the UN refugee agency has said.

One staff member was arrested after the agency referred three workers at the camp to Kenyan police for criminal prosecution, according to the UN's High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"Protecting lives is at the core of UNHCR's work, which makes the betrayal of trust we have seen in this case so galling," said UNHCR deputy head George Okoth-Obbo on Tuesday.

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The UNHCR launched an internal investigation after receiving allegations of fraud, corruption, threats and intimidation in the camp, it said.

Two of the workers have since resigned and disciplinary actions are being taken against the other three.

The agency also suspended resettlement applications for the camp, it said.

UNHCR investigations are carried out by the organisation's Inspector General's Office, an independent body that reports directly to the High Commissioner.

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