Activist Francis Gaitho has raised serious concerns about Kenya’s immigration system after it emerged that 19 Burundians were deported from the United States to Kenya.
The shocking part? They were not Kenyan citizens, yet they traveled to the U.S. using Kenyan passports.
Gaitho, in a scathing post, questioned why the Burundians were sent to Kenya instead of their home country, exposing what he termed a deeply corrupt system within the Department of Immigration Services.
X influential figure Francis Ng’ang’a Gaitho poses for a photo. Source: Citizen TV Kenya (X)
He accused officials, including Immigration PS Julius Bitok, of selling Kenyan passports to foreigners while subjecting actual Kenyan citizens to frustrating delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
“How did these Burundians get Kenyan passports? Who facilitated this fraud? We must investigate the idiots at Immigration Department and Julius K Bitok who make it difficult for Kenyans to get their own passports but easily sell them to illegals,” Gaitho wrote.
This revelation has sparked widespread outrage, with many Kenyans demanding accountability.
The passport issuance process in Kenya has long been criticized for corruption, where officials allegedly demand hefty bribes before approving applications.
Interior PS Julius Bitok during a past media event. Photo: Tuko Source: Instagram
Many Kenyans endure months of waiting for their documents, yet illegal immigrants seem to obtain them with ease.
This development raises critical questions: Who facilitated the fraudulent documentation for these Burundians?
How many more foreigners have illegally acquired Kenyan passports? If rogue officials can sell passports to foreigners, it means Kenya’s national security is at risk.
Gaitho’s post has ignited fresh demands for a thorough investigation and reforms in the immigration department.
However, whether the government will act remains a big question, as Kenyans have witnessed numerous scandals being covered up before.
Will PS Julius Bitok respond, or will this be another case of impunity thriving in Kenya?
