Chief Mbaka: Mediator for Refugee-Host Community Trade Cohesion in Nairobi’s Streets
Chief Mbaka: Mediator for Refugee-Host Community Trade Cohesion in Nairobi’s Streets
By Harriet Ajiambo
Refugees in the camps and the urban centers in the country face a myriad of challenges. Lack of knowledge on their rights and the different laws and policies that safeguard their stay in the country. A difficulty to obtain documentation such as business permits and limited movement especially when registered for the camps. Language barrier and stigmatization among other bothers. This causes a lot of interference with their integration with the host community, a great obstacle, considering this year’s World Refugee Day theme; Community as a Superpower, which emphasizes the need for a welcoming environment for the refugees to feel safe and thrive.
In Nairobi Kenya, the challenge has even become more pronounced among the Nairobi business community vendors. Refugees’ documents are confiscated by vendors from the host community; violence is meted upon them on the Nairobi streets by the host vendors and their tenancy agreements with their landlords violated.
A trader at the Nairobi Central Business District
On disputes and resolution, Chief Mbaka has taken the critical role of being the mediator in disputes arising between the refugees and host vendors in the Nairobi Central Business District.
“The mere recognition that a refugee has rights like the citizens of the country has to be put clearly to the host community to promote peaceful cohesion” acknowledges Mr. Mbaka. He has put his foot forward to assist refugee and the host communities through the integration process, to build a community guarded by inclusion for all. Mr. Mbaka is one of the duty bearers who has participated in the Haki na Ushirikiano Project trainings and public forums meant to capacity build and create awareness on refugees’ rights. At the time of deployment to Nairobi Central Business District in 2022, he admits to have had zero knowledge on refugee rights affairs. From the knowledge acquired from the community conversations held under the aegis of the Haki na Ushirikiano Project, he is now able to guide the community on the respect of rights for all and mediate disputes related to refugees and host communities from a point of information.
An allegation from the host community vendors, that the refugees tag their goods at lower prices to lure customers from the host community vendors stands out as the source of bad blood between these vendors. Chief Mbaka deploys Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms such as; reconciliation and mediation when such conflicts arise. Mr. Mbaka holds mediation sessions with the conflicting parties where they raise their concerns and from a point of information helps them settle their differences amicably. Mr. Mbaka holds barazas with the refugees and host communities around his area of jurisdiction to build knowledge and sensitize them on the respect for refugee rights. He does referrals to Central Police Station Nairobi, for further assistance especially when the matters are beyond mediation.
Refugees vendors are actively involved in hawking and barbershop businesses in Nairobi. Mr. Mbaka emphasizes the need for respect of rights among the traders, to sustain healthy competition in business undertakings to ensure peaceful business practice in the city. The violations to the refugee traders in the city have been addressed but not conclusively. He urges a multi-sectoral involvement in the advocacy and championing for refugees’ inclusion. He also alludes to the importance empowering refugees to be aware of their rights and to actively stand up for them, to be able to actively participate in all sectors in the country without being left behind.