Finland Moves to Stop Kenyans Sneaking Through its Borders

A photo  of a plane parked at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland
A photo of a plane parked at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland
Photo
Jussi Tiainen

Kenyans attempting to cross over to Finland through Russia will have a tough time after the foreign government announced plans to extend the shutdown of its border with Russia in an attempt to block migrants who exploit the stretch to gain illegal access to the country.

According to Iltalehti, a Finish news outlet, an initial directive shutting down the border is set to lapse on January 15 but the European government has announced that the policy will be extended until a further date as a means to guarantee the country's national security.

Migrants from Kenya have been listed among global citizens who have perennially tried to sneak into Finland. Others were from Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. 

The border was closed in 2023 after an influx of migrants from Kenya and other countries forced the government to take drastic measures.

Finland Border closed Kenya
Finnish Border Guard personnel patrolling
Photo
Lehtikuva/Jussi Nukari

Finish officials complained that most of the migrants lack proper documentation and visas.  

The increase was alarming as some were suspected to be engaging in illegal activities.

When the border was closed down, the government left one entry open to legally allow genuine asylum seekers into the country.

Following the directive, border guards erected barriers on all the illegal entry points to restore order in the European country.

"We need to do this to maintain order and guarantee the security of legal border traffic," the Deputy Commander of the Kainuu border guard Lieutenant Colonel Tomi Tirkkonen remarked in November.

Finland is among the various European countries preferred by Kenyans seeking to migrate abroad.

Data from the Schengen statistics revealed that Finland was among the countries where Kenyans were moving to by applying for the Schengen visa that allows the holder to visit over 20 countries.

Reports indicate that the main reasons for travel were leisure, business, medical reasons, visiting family, and school.

Passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Passengers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Photo
KCAA
  • . .