By Jeff Kizzilah
Growing alarm has been raised following reports that Kenyan nationals living and working in Somaliland are facing arrests and harassment by immigration police, particularly in the capital, Hargeisa.
In recent weeks, immigration officers are reported to have intensified crackdowns targeting individuals accused of visa irregularities. Witnesses say officers have been conducting random checks at bus stops and other public areas, demanding identification and immigration documents, with those found lacking valid visas detained on the spot.
A significant number of those affected are Kenyan teachers employed in international and private schools across Somaliland. Concerns have emerged that some employers failed to renew or properly facilitate work permits and visa documentation for their Kenyan staff, leaving them exposed to arrest despite being in formal employment.
The situation has reportedly created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the Kenyan community, many of whom now avoid public spaces. Families of those detained have also expressed distress, citing difficulties in communication and access to information. Language barriers further complicate the matter, as most local officers reportedly communicate primarily in Somali or Arabic, limiting detainees’ ability to explain their circumstances or seek assistance.
Despite the escalating tension, the Kenyan consulate in Somaliland has yet to issue an official statement or provide clear guidance, a silence that has fueled frustration and a sense of abandonment among affected citizens.
Members of the Kenyan community and human rights advocates are now calling for urgent diplomatic intervention. They are urging the Kenyan government to engage Somaliland authorities to ensure fair treatment, access to legal representation, and humane handling of detained Kenyans, while also pressing employers to be held accountable for immigration compliance failures.
As anxiety continues to mount, affected families are appealing for swift action to protect Kenyan citizens abroad and prevent further violations of their rights.
