Mombasa crackdown nets 100 foreigners

AT least 100 Somali nationals were yesterday arrested in Mombasa in the ongoing countrywide crackdown on “illegal” immigrants. An operation launched in Changamwe and Kisauni areas by a combined team of regular and administration police led to the arrests.

Changamwe police boss Joseph Muthee said 69 of the foreigners were arrested at Nuru in Changamwe, an area which is predominantly inhabited by the Somali. Muthee said police are still screening the suspects before taking any action. He said those found to be guilty will be charged in court on Monday.

Police said the offences include being in the country illegally and residing outside designated areas without authority. “The ongoing crackdown must continue. Those who have authentic documents will be freed. We are not targeting any nationality or religion, it’s a normal operation for prevention of crime,” said Muthee.

He said different nationalities are among those arrested during the swoop that started early Sunday. Police raided several guest houses and residential areas. They flushed out foreigners who failed to produce identification documents. Majority could not speak Kiswahili or English. Most of those netted are believed to be long-distance drivers and conductors.

Relatives of those arrested protested that their relatives had genuine documents and demanded for their release. “They were arrested despite producing their Kenya IDS and passports, it’s illegal to detain innocent Kenyans in inhumane conditions. The police station is crowded with even women and children,” said Adan Mohammed.

thestar