A group of Tanzanian asylum seekers who gathered at the UNHCR offices in Nairobi claim that they were denied refugee registration despite earlier assurances, leaving them stranded, undocumented, and in fear of being arrested.

The group, which was filmed by TV47, spent the whole day calling out and protesting against what they call deliberate neglect by the refugee agency.

In the video, the asylum seekers who appear distressed plead for recognition.

One of the men is heard saying, “We were told to come here today. We stayed the whole day, but nobody registered us. We just want documentation.”

Another man says, “We have nowhere to go. We are just asking for help so that we’re allowed to stay legally.”

Asylum Seekers Plead for Documentation

Some of the people captured in the footage report that their efforts to seek clarity or have access to the premises were met by either silence or being told to wait outside.

There were also claims of intimidation by the Kenyan authorities of some of the asylum seekers, who claimed that they were advised not to talk to journalists.

In the footage, one of the group members tells them that “we were told not to speak to the media,” insisting that fear of potential reprisals has intimidated many to openly pursue their claims.

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According to the group, they had to escape Tanzania due to persecution and threats to their safety.

Without UNHCR registration, they remain at risk of being arrested for lacking documentation and cannot access services or legal protection under Kenyan or international refugee law.

Human rights observers note that Kenya’s asylum system faces a significant backlog, which has left thousands of asylum seekers waiting months or even years before they are formally recognized.

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According to advocates, failure to capture the asylum seekers on arrival makes them prone to extortion and harassment or even deportation.

The UNHCR Kenya office is yet to give a public response to the allegations made in the TV47 report.

The department of refugee services has not clarified whether the group was handled, sent back or instructed to come back at a later date.

Refugee Rights Group Call for Action

Refugee rights groups are calling on the UNHCR and Kenyan authorities to provide urgent clarification and an official explanation.

They warn that the prolonged lack of documentation violates international protection obligations and exposes asylum seekers to further harm.

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A picture captured during demo’s in Tanzania following the presidential elections
Image/Swahili news/X