Fresh concerns have been raised over the alleged rise in cases of foreign nationals illegally obtaining Kenyan identification documents following the deportation of Somalia’s Second Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji from the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Reports indicated that the Somali official was flagged upon arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from Mogadishu on Wednesday, June 24, over claims that he had a fraudulently acquired Kenyan passport.

The incident has sparked debate over how such a document could have been issued, with fears that other Kenyan passports and national identity cards may have been fraudulently issued to non-citizens without the public’s knowledge.

Comments circulating online have asked why the Deputy Prime Minister would need a Kenyan passport if his position accords him a diplomatic passport.

📌 What You Need to Know

Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi weighed in on the matter, questioning how a senior official from a neighbouring country could allegedly obtain a Kenyan passport through unofficial means.

According to reports, Haji presented a valid Somali diplomatic passport and entry visa upon arrival, but was detained at the airport after officials allegedly raised concerns over a Kenyan passport believed to have been acquired fraudulently.

The deputy PM is said to have acknowledged possession of the Kenyan passport but declined to surrender it, insisting that the matter be handled through a court process.

Though an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly confirmed the deportation, neither the Kenyan government nor the Federal Government of Somalia has issued an official public statement on the incident.

Such claims have been circulated for months, with citizens intensifying pressure on the government to explain the allegations and conduct thorough, transparent investigations.

Immigration and Citizens Services Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has repeatedly dismissed the allegations , explaining that non-Kenyans are only issued with alien identification documents that are strictly for administrative purposes.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke