Keypoints:
- Kenya expelled Somalia’s second deputy prime minister after allegations of fraudulent acquisition of a Kenyan passport at Nairobi airport
- The official was questioned at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and later removed on a return flight to Mogadishu
- The incident highlights sensitive Kenya–Somalia relations and renewed scrutiny of diplomatic travel and identity systems in the region
KENYA has expelled Somalia’s second deputy prime minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, after allegations that he fraudulently obtained a Kenyan passport during an immigration inspection at Nairobi’s main international airport, according to a police report cited by Reuters.
The incident involving a senior Somali government official at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has intensified scrutiny of identity verification systems and diplomatic travel protocols in the Horn of Africa. It comes at a sensitive moment in Kenya–Somalia relations, where security cooperation, migration management and regional stability remain closely intertwined.
Arrival at Nairobi airport
According to a police report seen by Reuters, Haji arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday afternoon carrying a valid visa in his Somali diplomatic passport. During routine immigration checks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, officers allegedly raised concerns over the validity of a Kenyan passport linked to him.
Authorities suspected the document may have been fraudulently obtained, prompting an immediate internal review. Kenyan authorities have not released supporting evidence, and the Somali government has not issued an official response.
Interrogation at airport facility
The police report states that during questioning, Haji allegedly acknowledged aspects of the inquiry but declined to surrender the disputed passport.
‘When interrogated he admitted, and when asked to produce the passport he declined to surrender (it) and claimed that he can only produce it in a court of law,’ the report said.
He was subsequently held in a VIP lounge at the airport while authorities processed arrangements for his removal from the country.
Swift removal to Mogadishu
Haji was issued with a return ticket to Mogadishu and departed Nairobi on an early morning flight the following day.
The swift removal underscores Kenya’s strict enforcement procedures at major entry points, particularly in cases involving disputed travel documents and high-profile visitors.
Reuters reported it was unable to reach Haji or Somalia’s information ministry for comment at the time of publication.
Diplomatic sensitivities in the Horn
Kenya hosts a large Somali diaspora and plays a key role in regional security operations in Somalia under African Union-backed missions. This makes any dispute involving senior Somali officials diplomatically sensitive.
While allegations of passport fraud involving high-ranking officials remain rare, the case is likely to increase scrutiny of document integrity and cross-border travel systems across the region.
Both governments have remained publicly silent, leaving key questions about the circumstances of the alleged passport acquisition unresolved.
