A British journalist has been deported from the country after he was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday afternoon under unclear circumstances.
Jerome Starkey, who is the Africa correspondent for The Times, was locked up at JKIA for over 24 hours when he landed from London.
He was allegedly interrogated by the Anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) with no explanation of his wrong doings.
"Over 24hrs in detention in #Kenya - denied access to a lawyer - now I'm being deported without explanation?. Smacks of intimidation #KoT," Starkey said.
The investigative reporter divulged that his lawyer was also turned away when he came to see him at the police cells.
“A lawyer who came to see me was just denied access to the airport by officials who said immigration hadn't detained anyone. #WhyIloveKenya,” he stated.
Acccording to a report by the Agence France-Presse (AFP) Officers told Starkey a "security block" had been placed on his passport but were unable to provide any further information.
At the same time, a report by the Star which has since been pulled down highlighted that the journalist could have been in Kenya to investigate a story of one Jack Marrian, a foreigner standing trial in Kenya for trafficking 99 Kg of cocaine.
According to this case, US agents and Marrain's lawyer indicated that: “A criminal gang hid almost 100Kg (220lb) of drugs in a shipment of sugar belonging to his (Marrian) company without his knowledge.
Earlier, a spokesman for the British High Commission in Nairobi said: "We are in contact with local authorities and are providing assistance to a British man following his detention in Nairobi."
Amnesty International condemned Starkey's detention highlighting "If it transpires that Jerome is being held due to his reporting, this would be a flagrant violation of his right to freedom of expression. Journalism is not a crime."
