Afghan Refugees in Kenya Face Deteriorating Conditions as International Support Wanes
Kakuma, 25 February 2026
Afghan families who fled Taliban rule in 2021 now endure alarming hardships at Kenya’s Kakuma camp, where criminal groups attack refugees nightly and steal their belongings. Beyond food and water shortages, these families face a particularly troubling reality: children are growing up without proper education whilst youth see no future prospects. The camp, established in 1992, has become a forgotten corner where Afghan refugees fear the international community has abandoned them entirely, creating psychological pressures that compound their physical struggles in one of East Africa’s most remote locations.
Security Threats Escalate Within Camp Boundaries
Criminal activities within Kakuma have intensified, with refugees reporting systematic targeting by unidentified groups. One refugee confirmed on Tuesday that unknown individuals inside and around the camp have beaten refugees and stolen their mobile phones [1]. A former Afghan security official currently residing in the camp detailed how criminal groups approach tents at night or intercept refugees during daylight hours to rob their belongings [1]. The security situation has become so precarious that families fear leaving their shelters, further limiting their already restricted access to basic services and employment opportunities.
Educational Crisis Deepens for Afghan Children
The deteriorating conditions have particularly severe implications for young refugees, with many children having no access to regular education [1][2]. Videos released from inside the camp reveal poor conditions of numerous tents and basic facilities, highlighting the inadequate infrastructure [1]. Young people within the camp report seeing no clear prospects for their future, creating a generation of displaced Afghans caught between the violence they fled and the uncertainty they now face [1][2]. These educational gaps threaten to create long-term consequences for Afghan families who had hoped their children would find opportunities after escaping Taliban restrictions.
Humanitarian Aid Proves Insufficient Amid Growing Need
Afghan refugees describe their complete reliance on limited aid, which has left them in an increasingly vulnerable situation with virtually no job opportunities available [1]. Families report shortages of food, clean drinking water, medical services, and basic security provisions [1][2]. The refugees warn that humanitarian assistance remains insufficient whilst the resettlement process has been subject to lengthy delays [1]. Most Afghan refugees initially entered Kenya on tourist visas following the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and later applied for asylum through the United Nations [2], but they now face prolonged uncertainty about their status and future prospects.
Psychological Pressure Mounts as International Attention Wanes
The psychological burden on Afghan families has become overwhelming as they grapple with uncertainty, extended waiting periods for resettlement, and a lack of clear information about their future after escaping violence in Afghanistan [2]. Many families explicitly fear that the international community has forgotten them entirely [1][2]. Refugees are urgently calling on the United Nations, humanitarian organisations, and donor countries to immediately examine conditions for Afghans in Africa [2]. They specifically request increased humanitarian aid, faster and fairer resettlement processes, access to education and livelihood programmes, and strengthened support mechanisms [2]. These families believe that continued global neglect could significantly deepen their humanitarian crisis [1].