Kenya Expels Somalia Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji

Kenya’s Anti‑Terrorism Police Unit barred Somalia’s second deputy prime minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, from entering the country, citing serious security concerns. Authorities alleged the official was linked to the movement of armed groups along the Kenya‑Somalia border and accused him of obtaining a Kenyan passport fraudulently.

At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport the deputy prime minister was detained after immigration officers questioned the legitimacy of his Kenyan passport. He was held in a VIP lounge, given a return ticket, and expelled back to Mogadishu. Neither the Somali government nor the official provided a comment. The incident adds tension to the already sensitive Kenya‑Somalia relationship, where Nairobi hosts a large Somali diaspora and participates in regional peacekeeping.

Kenyan officials said the allegations have direct implications for national security, but no public evidence has been presented to substantiate the claims.