How Foreigners Are Earning Millions While Working Illegally in Kenya

Hundreds of foreign citizens are reportedly pocketing millions in salaries while illegally living and working in Kenya, Daily Nation says in a special report.

The leading Newspaper says the foreigners are mainly employed by international charities and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) either running operations in Kenya, South Sudan or Somalia, and whose main offices are based in Nairobi.

The expatriates are mostly drawn from the United States, Europe and Somalia, the Nation further says.

Data from NGO Coordination Board, a state agency that regulates the sector, shows that about 12,000 foreigners are residing in Kenya, working on issues ranging from human rights to maternal health and even conservation.

To remain in the country, the expatriates have been using tourist visas, instead of obtaining work permits as required by the law.

Contacted for a comment on the matter, Director of Immigration Services Gordon Kihalangwa denied having any knowledge of such operations in the country.

“A tourist visa only allows you to visit and stay in the country for a specified moment but you need a work permit or at least a special pass to work in the country.”

In 2016, the government said it will only grant work permits to foreigners in instances where Kenyans lack the required skills and qualifications to undertake such tasks.

Nation, however, established that the expatriates have continued to exploit the loopholes in the country's security system to thrive years-on end without legal documents.

For instance, an international charity organisation with offices in Nairobi’s Westlands area has employed more than five senior officials, who only possess tourism visas. The documents are only valid for three months, but the individuals are forced to travel back to their countries and then return on fresh tourists visas.

“The top management of the organisation earn more than $400,000 (Sh40m) a month but since they do not have work permits their salaries are remitted to their bank accounts in their countries,” a source said.

“Some of these officers tried to apply for work permits but were denied because the government said there were thousands of Kenyans to occupy such positions, so they decided to come in as tourists,” he said, adding that the organisation only employs locals to occupy lower positions such as drivers and liaison officers.