The United Nations refugee agency has appealed to the Kenyan authorities to relocate 5,000 Somali refugees away from the volatile border area.

Around 17 refugees, mainly children, have died - mainly from disease and malnutrition - in the past week alone, says the UNHCR.

Some Kenyans have also died in the poor border-town of Mandera, where the refugees have settled.

But Kenya is reluctant to move the refugees further inside its territory, where aid agencies say they could provide better services.

Somalia is still wracked by factional fighting despite the inauguration of a transitional government in 2000.

The refugees fled an upsurge in fighting in the Geddo region in the past two months.

Stray bullets

Aid agencies have previously accused Kenya of using threats and intimidation to drive thousands of Somali refugees back across the border.

"The border area is too dangerous and it doesn't look as if it will be safe enough to go back soon," said Kris Janowski from the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Most refugees say they are afraid to go back

Four refugees on Kenyan soil were killed by stray bullets from fighting in Somalia last month.

Around 60% of those receiving medical treatment last week were local Kenyans, says the UNHCR.

Health conditions have worsened due to contaminated water supplies and a lack of proper food.

There are currently 213,000 refugees in Kenya, including 129,000 Somalis.