"Somalia: Somali Citizens in Kenya struggling for survival after shut down of remittance firms"

Two months after the Kenyan government moved to suspend 13 Somali remittances operating in its country, the effect of the shutdown has had major impacts on the entire Somali community living in the East African nation. The ban was condemned by the Somali community in Kenya and human rights advocates. It came days after the militant group launched a deadly raid on Garissa University claiming the lives of 148 people, mostly students. Many lawyers and Somalis have criticized the move and described it as unfair and based on unfounded accusations.

Mohamoud Jama Hussein is in his final year of his Bachelor studies in a Nairobi University, but he is not sure whether he will able to complete his studies successfully after failing to pay the outstanding balance tuition fees. ‘’My Cousin in Somalia has been paying my tuition fees and responsible for my welfare since I came to Kenya four years ago. Now I cannot receive money from him because there is no an International Banking system in my country,’’ he said...

International humanitarian agencies operating in Somalia have warned the action by Kenya to close the hawalas could significantly affect livelihoods in Somalia whose dependence on remittances has been instrumental in building the country.