Kenya deports Somali deputy prime minister over suspicions of illegal passport
Kenyan authorities bar Somali official from entering the country
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
Kenyan authorities deported Somalia’s second deputy prime minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, after barring him from entering Kenyan territory on suspicion that he possessed a Kenyan passport believed to have been obtained illegally.
The incident occurred at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, where the Somali official arrived using a Somali diplomatic passport and a valid entry visa, before inspection procedures raised the authorities' suspicions about his possession of a Kenyan passport.
Allegations related to obtaining a Kenyan passport
According to media reports, immigration officials suspected that the Somali official was carrying a Kenyan passport obtained illegally, which prompted authorities to question him inside the airport.
The information circulating indicated that the Somali official refused to hand over the controversial document, stressing that any procedures related to it must be carried out through the judicial process, before a decision is made to return it to Mogadishu.
Official silence from Nairobi and Mogadishu
Neither the Kenyan nor the Somali governments have issued detailed official statements regarding the incident so far, which has raised questions about the dimensions of the issue and its potential repercussions on bilateral relations between the two countries.
The incident comes at a time when Kenya and Somalia have close security and political ties, particularly in the area of counter-terrorism and regional coordination in the Horn of Africa.
Fears of diplomatic repercussions
Observers believe the incident could spark diplomatic tension between Nairobi and Mogadishu if it is not dealt with through official channels, especially since it involves a high-ranking government official.
The case also reignited the debate within Kenya about allegations that some foreigners have illegally obtained Kenyan identity documents and passports, an issue that has sparked widespread discussion in recent years.
Bilateral relations face a new test
Kenya hosts a large Somali community and plays a pivotal role in supporting stability and security in Somalia through military and security cooperation and the participation of its forces in regional efforts to combat the al-Shabaab movement.
The reports indicated that containing the repercussions of this incident requires diplomatic coordination between the two countries to maintain bilateral relations and avoid any political escalation that could affect the existing cooperation between the two sides.
