Hiiraan Online
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somali authorities have brought charges against Kenyan nationals for illegally staying and working in Mogadishu, officials said Wednesday.
The 24 Kenyans, who work for a local Somali firm could face deportations if found guilty as their trial was postponed to Thursday.
The Kenyans were arrested after an objection by the immigration department which accused them of illegally entering and staying in the Somalia.
Somalia’s deputy attorney general Mohamed Hassan who arraigned the foreign workers said that the arrested Kenyan had no legal papers to stay and work permits to work in Somalia
Somalia had previously warmed that it would repatriate any foreigners working or staying in the country illegally.
Kenyan government hasn’t so far commented on the development, which may further dent troubled relations between the two neighboring countries.
The development comes as Somalia’s parliament is expected to vote on the foreign investment and foreign worker’s draft law next month.
Since the Somali central government was overthrown by warlords in 1991, the country’s immigration system ceased to operate despite efforts by the country’s immigration to adopt a strict immigration law to encourage all undocumented foreigners to register at its offices in the capital Mogadishu.
Due to the long absence of governmental regulation, it is uncertain how many foreigners travel to Somalia per year. However, according to the Somali Immigration authority visas and residence permits are now mandatory for all foreign nationals.