NAIROBI, Kenya – Security agencies have launched investigations into the destruction and looting of government offices belonging to the Department of Refugee Services (DRS) in Hagadera, Dadaab, Garissa County.
The incident occurred on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with the government alleging that a group of refugee youth was involved in the attack.
Acting Commissioner for Refugee Affairs Mercy Mwasaru condemned the destruction in a statement issued on Sunday, November 15, warning that the damage would disrupt services relied upon by both refugees and residents of the host community.
She said the affected government office block and other infrastructure had been established to serve everyone in Hagadera, regardless of their refugee or host-community status.
“The office and other infrastructure were built to serve everyone in Hagadera, refugee and host community alike. Its destruction harms the very people it was meant to serve, disrupts essential services and threatens the peaceful coexistence that communities in the area have worked hard to build,” she stated.
Government Moves to Recover Stolen Property
Mwasaru said relevant security agencies had begun efforts to recover property stolen during the incident and identify those responsible for the destruction.
She warned that anyone found culpable would face prosecution under Kenyan law, insisting that individuals or groups would not be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
The Acting Commissioner did not disclose the value of the stolen property or the extent of the damage caused to the government facilities.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those who participated in the looting.
Refugees and Host Community Urged to Remain Calm
The government has appealed to residents of Hagadera to remain calm as investigations continue, warning against retaliatory actions that could escalate tensions.
Mwasaru urged community leaders, elders and youth representatives to discourage revenge attacks and avoid spreading inflammatory information that could undermine relations between refugees and the local population.
She also called on residents to cooperate with security agencies and share any information that could help investigators identify those responsible.
Members of the public with relevant information have been asked to report confidentially to the National Police Service or DRS officials.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of public infrastructure in Hagadera, where government facilities provide services to both refugee and host communities.
Mwasaru reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting residents, safeguarding public property and maintaining the rule of law.
“The Government remains committed to the safety of every resident, the protection of public property and the rule of law,” she stated.
