South Sudanese in Kenya were shocked when the Kenyan police started storming their residences, arresting and detaining many of them in police center in Nairobi, Nakuru, Lodwar, Eldoret, and Nyeri, among others. This came following a strongly worded statement by Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Interior, Fred Matiangi, concerning what he described as “illegal immigrants,” or foreigners working in Kenya without employment permits. In a government’s initiative that reflects a routine economic policy enforcement, Dr. Fred Matiangi announced plans to issue electronic work permits to foreigners working in the country. Secretary Matiangi also warned any Kenyans who employ undocumented
foreigners. This position also reflects Kenya’s prior announcements that Kenya should not employ any foreign nationals in any occupations for which qualified Kenyans can be found.
