African migrants continue to be a dramatic regular occurrence in the Mediterranean, especially on Italian shores. But the situation is even worse before they land in Libya, Morocco, Greece and other ports of escape. Certainly the main trauma involves leaving the homeland and then the journey through other, often hostile, countries before reaching the last obstacle to hope, the great sea from which there is often no return.
Once again this year the United Nations, through High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) has forwarded the list of countries from which more citizens, in desperation, leave with the intention of reaching Europe.
Kenya is once again confirmed as one of the last countries whose migrants embark on "hope crossings." Leading the way, as always, are Somalia and Nigeria, then countries from the western area (Gambia, Burkina, Ivory Coast, Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon) and the central area (the two Congo and the Central African Republic), as well as Sudan and Eritrea. In the sub-Saharan area, migration involves neighboring countries, for example, from Burundi people migrate to Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya itself, from Malawi, Zimbabwe and Lesotho to South Africa.
Why does Kenya not have citizens fleeing? Yet the situation in certain regions is critical and much worse. Meanwhile, it must be said that poverty, a problem Africa has always lived with, is not the main problem. No one would leave his home, his handkerchief of land, his hut and his affections, unless compelled by other factors. Meanwhile, a country not at war, then the coexistence of different ethnic and religious groups, and finally major food emergencies.
For Kenyans, some of these problems have been occurring since this year, and although it has never been in their nature to flee their country, they will have to deal with the water crisis and hunger. Tares that then inevitably bring with them conflicts, as has been happening lately in the Rift Valley and the Baringo and Turkana regions.
During the recent visit of Italian President Sergio Mattarella, who gave a speech on the environment at the University of nairobi, the topic of migration was touched on several times, and the head of state himself mentioned that countries like Kenya, which are a step ahead of many others on the continent, need to look today at not degenerating into the problems that then lead their people to flee and especially the youth.
That is why it is not only seen as a country that can still "get by," but is one to work with so that it can keep its people in acceptable conditions at home and become a virtuous and successful example of how Africa can solve the issues that force thousands of reluctant people to set out on the road, with no certainty of arriving alive at a destination they have often never heard of.