Nairobi County is seeking court orders to deport foreign beggars arrested within the Central Business District during the ongoing crackdown.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke the Interior Ministry admitted to knowing of the influx of illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries who are lured with the promise of getting good jobs.
"The government is aware of illegal immigrants in the country but it is not under governor Sonko's jurisdiction to deport them," an official at the Ministry stated.
Nairobi City County is seeking orders to repatriate some of the beggars arrested within the central business district, Education, Youth, Gender and Sports Executive Janet Ouko stated.
[caption caption="A woman begging motorists in Nairobi"]
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Governor Mike Sonko’s administration maintained that a majority of the beggars found in Nairobi were brought into the country illegally from Tanzania.
Ms Ouko stated: “We are seeking court orders so that the process is smooth and in accordance with the laws so that Nairobi is not accused of being inhuman.”
The CEC added: “Nairobi is a commercial hub for East and Central Africa, we want it to maintain that status and not a begging hub.”
According to Sonko's administration, the beggars are trafficked into Kenya with the lure of getting well-paying jobs, but they end up being sent to the streets to beg.
The beggars told journalists that some individuals collect and take them back home where they are expected to remit the day’s collection.
Already, seven people using beggars to extort city residents have been arrested in Huruma Estate and are due in court for conducting illegal activities.
[caption caption="A woman begging "]
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During the crackdown, a number of disabled people were found locked up in a shanty, confirming suspicions that cartels were using them to collect money.
