President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday revealed the action his government had taken against foreigners who were found to be exploiting Kenyans.
Speaking during the opening of the new regional headquarters for World Vision, a Christian non-governmental organisation, the Head of State noted that the authorities had discovered that unscrupulous people were abusing the system and taking advantage of Kenya's hospitality.
He disclosed that the government had made the process of acquiring a work permit more stringent to prevent those with ill intentions from making it into the county.
His remarks come months after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i issued an ultimatum for all foreigners working in Kenya to either regularise their permits or leave the country.
In April, the CS noted that unemployment levels in the country are high since jobs have been taken by foreigners.
[caption caption="Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i "]
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“We have not cleaned up our systems on Immigration. Our official records show there are 34,000 foreigners working in Kenya. You and I know that is not true, the real figure is there are probably over 100,000. Means there are people doing jobs that Kenyans can do, coming through the back door,” Matiang'i explained.
On the other hand, President Kenyatta conveyed that individuals coming to work with reputable organisations like World Vision who are genuinely working for Kenyans would not have difficulty getting work permits.
“We welcome visitors who are coming in to improve life for Kenyans,” added the President as he assured that work permits for World Vision staff will not be subject to undue delays even as he maintained that the government will continue applying strict measures in the issuance and renewal of work permits.
Uhuru presided over the opening of the office complex of the organisation that has operated in Kenya since 1974.
The headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, will serve as the nerve centre for the World Vision’s operations in the wider Eastern Africa region including Ethiopia and Eritrea.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta presiding over the opening of the new regional headquarters for World Vision in Karen 19/7/2018"]
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President Kenyatta said he was pleased to officiate at the ceremony because he appreciates the role World Vision plays in supporting vulnerable groups in society especially children.
While congratulating World Vision for its long list of successes, the Head of State named some of the prominent Kenyans who have benefited directly from the organization's iinterventions among them Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, Supreme Court Judge Justice Isaac Lenaola, Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, Kajiado East MP Peris Tobiko and former MP Lina Jebii Kilimo among others.
President Kenyatta thanked the organisation, which has more than 6,000 employees in the region, for choosing Kenya to be its regional hub.
“That you have chosen Kenya for your new regional headquarters is proof of the strength of our partnership, and of your commitment to the children of the region. For our part, we thank you for your years of labour, and we welcome this new commitment,” President Kenyatta stated.
[caption caption="President Uhuru Kenyatta presiding over the opening of the new regional headquarters for World Vision in Karen 19/7/2018"]
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