In Kenya, people are now waiting for the result of yesterday’s referendum to decide on a new constitution. There has been fear that the referendum could lead to unrest or violent clashes in parts of the country. The constitution provides for comprehensive political reforms reducing the power of the president, and introducing new citizen rights as well as land reforms.

The new constitution and the reforms that this would entail could pave the way for a new era in the East African country. But the referendum is also followed by fears of new unrest, as was the case during elections in 2007. There, more than 1,000 people were killed and more than 300,000 made homeless in the ensuing violent clashes.

Danish Refugee Council has worked in Kenya since 2005 with support for refugees including through projects in the Dadaab camp, the world's largest refugee camp, which houses over 270,000 people mainly from Somalia. Work in Dadaab camp has included projects on water supply and sanitation, and also training and business support activities.

- We know from experience from past elections that the situation can change very quickly in Kenya. Therefore we now await the outcome and will, where appropriate, quickly convert us to respond with help in the event that will be needed, says Claus Larsen, who is Head of Section in the Danish Refugee Council.

Following riots in the wake of the 2007 elections, the Danish Refugee Council worked with the support of Kenyans in Molo district. The work in Molo, among other things aimed to establish temporary housing and provide support to sustain livelihoods in collaboration with UNHCR.

Read more about the work in Kenya at the Danish Refugee Council website:
http://www.drc.dk/relief-work/where-we-work/horn-of-africa-and-yemen/kenya/

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