Gov’t freezes issuance of work permits for foreigners in Kenya

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has issued a directive stopping the issuance of work permits for foreigners in the country.

CS Matiang’i now says that foreigners will be required to apply and get work permits from their countries of origin before they can travel to take up their assignment in the country.

“We are not against immigrants, but we want right visitors who obey the law,” said Matiang’i.

Speaking during the launch of Kenya Institute of Migration Studies program at the University of Nairobi, CS Matiang’i further indicated that new reforms in immigration are already being applied.

This follows the administrative and policy changes recommended last month.

In August, Matiang’i had warned that only those whose applications for foreign workers permits have been processed will be allowed to come into the country for work. The Interior CS, who was speaking to county commissioners and regional commanders, also urged them to be vigilant and strict.

“Arrest those who say they have applied for work permits and are waiting to get their documents. Ask them to go back to their countries and wait for their work permits. When they get them then they will come back,” Matiang’i added.

An operation targeting 4000 illegal immigrants in the country began in May this year, with CS Matiang’i saying those found without proper documents would be deported.

Meanwhile, Matiang’i has also directed that a mandatory PR training course be introduced into the curriculum for all immigration officers.

Further, the CS also announced that no immigration officer, beginning with the Principal Immigration Officer will be promoted without going through the Post Graduate Diploma in Migration Studies course.

The programme being presided over by Immigration & Citizen Services Principal Secretary Maj.Gen Gordon Kihalangwa, is aimed at equipping immigration practitioners with migration management and governance skills.