Kenyan immigration officials free 16 S. Sudanese nationals
October 7, 2015 (RUMBEK) – At least 16 of the 36 South Sudanese nationals arrested and detained by Kenyan immigration officers in Eldoret district last week have been released.
Officials conducted house search for foreigners with expired entry visas. During the operation, 36 South Sudanese nationals were taken into police custody.
Emmanuel Malual who was present when the 16 South Sudanese gained their freedom, confirmed that up to 20 people were still in detention at Eldoret police station.
“Only 16 people are free today in Eldoret police station and 20 are still being detained. You remember last last week, 36 South Sudanese were arrested due to visa expiration [but] now the Kenyan government is freeing those who can renew their visa”, said Malual.
“All the 16 people being released were being released by Eldoret High Court”, he added.
Their release, Malual told Sudan Tribune followed intense pressure on authorities from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and South Sudanese community leaders.
The South Sudanese embassy in Kenya reportedly despatched a delegation to meet South Sudanese community in Eldoret and the processes of acquiring visas are ongoing.
Andrew Kuol, community member, said he met South Sudan government representatives and the meeting agreed that the process of issuing passports to citizens be expedited.
“The embassy will send a mobile team to come and register the community to get their passport,” said Kuol.
(ST)