Kenya and the Somali governments have set up a taskforce to work out the modalities of repatriating and settling thousands of Somali refugees.
The formula agreed upon will form the basis of a conference on refugees to be held in Nairobi in August and will be expected to announce the timetable for the return.
President Kenyatta, who hosted his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, called on the international community to assist the two nations create conditions that will ensure the safe return of the refugees to their country.
Apology for soldiers killed
At the same time Mr Mohamud apologised to Kenyans and other countries contributing troops to Amison for the deaths of their soldiers, saying they had paid the ultimate price to stabilise his country.
He particularly mentioned Kenya saying the country had shouldered the extra burden of thousands of refugees.
“Such efforts will form an important part in Somali history just like we are trying to reconstruct Somalia to enable it join the international community”, Mr Mohamud said.
During a meeting between the two leaders, President Kenyatta briefed his counterpart on the burden the country was shouldering in hosting thousands of refugees in camps saying it had impacted negatively on economic, social and security of the country as well as on the environment.