The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday, defended its recent decision to repatriate four Turkish nationals back to their country after the deportation sparked debate within and outside the country.
Addressing diplomats, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei revealed that the four Turks had allegedly committed ‘treasonous acts’ in Turkey.
He added that the deportation was necessary to avert accusations of harboring ‘subversive’ elements in the country and save Nairobi's ties to Ankara.
“The issue of being accused of harboring subversive elements in your country who are undertaking activities detrimental to another country is a very serious thing, and you cannot ignore it," Sing'oei stated.
However, the PS confessed that the issue brought a significant diplomatic dilemma to the country. “I have to note that it is a very difficult dilemma because there are two principles that we hold dear.”
Even so, PS Sing’oei noted that the issue of interference with another country’s internal affairs held more weight which necessitated the government’s move to deport the foreign nationals.
“The principle of non-interference on the internal affairs of another country is a rock solid principle that goes to the very founding of states," he added.
The PS added that the move to deport the foreign nationals was well thought out and that the government had considered all factors. “Sometimes, we may take a position that appears completely out of tandem with principle. However, I can tell you that in this case, it is a very well-thought-out position.”
The four Turkish nationals, who are refugees in Kenya, were abducted in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa, Karen and Upper Hill neighborhoods together with three others who were later released. They reported being kidnapped at gunpoint by unidentified armed men.
Contrastingly, the government claimed that there were very well-laid-out mechanisms between the agencies involved to ensure that the Turkish nationals were accorded
proper treatment. “The relevant agencies set assurances on how this set of individuals will be treated.”
The abduction of the Turkish nationals, which was captured by CCTV cameras, and their subsequent repatriation to their home country elicited negative reactions from global refugee agencies heightening concerns over Kenya’s commitment to uphold refugee rights.
The United Nations refugee agency called upon the Kenyan Government to abide by its international obligations on the protection of asylum seekers. International refugee rights are clearly captured in the UN's 1951 convention.
This convention dictates that refugees should not be sent back to places where their lives or freedoms are at risk.
