Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants to Meet International Standards, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i Says

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i says the crackdown on illegal immigrants and undocumented foreigners will be done fairly and without discrimination.

In a statement, the Ministry of Interior said the exercise will not target a particular nationality and assured it will be carried out in a manner that meets international standards.

“The Ministry of Interior has assured that it will not target a single nationality…” the statement read.

The assurance comes a day after the Immigration Department launched a hotline number (0745660151) where Kenyans can report suspicious foreigners.

Immigrants targeted in the new operation are those who failed to register afresh or verify the authenticity of their documents during a 60-day exercise that lapsed late last month.

The government is already in the process of deporting more than 30 foreigners arrested without valid documents during the exercise.

Matiang'i said Kenya spends approximately Sh360 million per year to deport immigrants found living in the country illegally. He said his ministry is reviewing the law in order to compel deportees to cater for their deportation fee including air fare.

“We can do more with the Sh360 million. Is it fair? I personally would like to discourage to this idea of spending public resources to deport people,” Cabinet Secretary for Interior Fred Matiangi said.

“We can improve some of our border posts in the country using the money.”