Kakuma, Refugee camp in Turkana County, Kenya
Kakuma is a large settlement in the semi-arid Turkana region with four main housing areas serving thousands of residents. The structures are built from reinforced plastic sheeting and mud bricks to create living spaces in this remote location.
The settlement was founded in 1992 to shelter South Sudanese children fleeing civil war and conflict. Over time, people from other regions affected by violence have also made this place their home.
People from different African countries live here together, each keeping their own languages and customs alive in daily routines. You see various cooking styles, music, and handmade crafts from different traditions throughout the living areas.
The location is extremely remote and sits in a hot, dry region where visitors should prepare for intense heat. Access is restricted and requires special permissions, so plan ahead and arrange visits through official channels.
The name comes from the Turkana language and means 'nowhere,' reflecting how isolated this place truly is in the region. Over decades, what started as a temporary shelter has become a permanent community with its own identity.
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