Three Nigerians were among those arrested in Makueni following a countrywide crackdown on illegals in the country.
This happened following a weeklong operation where the nabbed suspects were busted after purporting to be professional players of Nunguni Football club but did not possess valid immigration documents.
Speaking on the arrests, Makueni County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim reported the government was keen on getting rid of illegal immigrants while at the same time, issued a stern warning to those harbouring them in the country.
“We have reports of even senior government officials hiring foreigners as house helps and other menial jobs. We shall not allow this to continue,” Maalim was quoted.
Maalim noted that there was an influx of illegals from neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda, singling out Wote and Emali as the major towns where foreigners mostly hide.
“Foreigners working in the country without permits will also be deported. We cannot allow foreigners in the country to work as hawkers and do other jobs that can be done by Kenyans,” he affirmed.
On September 1, five Nigerian nationals were arrested in Lucky Summer estate in Nairobi following a tip-off from locals who complained they were engaged in illegal activities.
Thus far, the number of illegal immigrants detained and deported stands at over 200, while 28 immigration officers were sacked after issuing wrong work permits to the foreigners.
Detained South Sudanese immigrants, however, found freedom following an agreement between Kenya and Sudan, with the Foreign Affairs ministry confirming the agreement with the Sudan embassy on a solution ensuring their release.
The war on illegals in the country gained momentum after a hotline number was set up for the public to report suspected foreigners in an ongoing crackdown by the Kenyan government.
