The forgotten faces

Abstract

This booklet arises from a specific protest within Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya—a moment marked by both courage and tragedy. At its heart are the poems of Peter Kidi, a South Sudanese citizen born and raised in Kakuma, who began to share his poetry publicly for the first time during this period of unrest. He was moved to share his poetry as a visceral response to the violent suppression of the protest he had witnessed. His words offered a powerful and intimate response to the unfolding events, which resonated widely among those who had ever lived in Kakuma. Charlotte Brown, then a doctoral student, encountered Peter’s poetry through a mutual acquaintance who had also lived in Kakuma. Struck by the resonance of his work with refugee experiences she had encountered in Uganda, she reached out to Peter to explore the possibility of sharing his writing more widely. With generous support from the Centre for Public Authority and International Development (CPAID), hosted by the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa (FLIA) at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Peter and Charlotte began a collaboration to document the events and emotions surrounding the protests. To complement the poetry and amplify its message, they invited renowned political cartoonist Victor Ndula to contribute visual interpretations that reflect the spirit and urgency of the protests. This collection is the result of months of close collaboration and deep commitment to sharing these stories. As you turn its pages, we invite you to listen closely, to reflect on what is being asked, and to consider how these voices might inform a broader understanding of displacement, protest, and belonging.