Kenya Seeks Deal to Deploy Security Officers to 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Kenyan security officers could be deployed to offer security during the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i says Kenya is in talks with Qatar authorities on the finer details of the agreement.

Matiang’i, who spoke during the Qatar National Day which was hosted by Ambassador Jabor bin Ali AL-Dosari in Nairobi on Friday, said the deal was part of his discussion with Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani during his visit to the Gulf state in September.

"In principle, we agreed with my Qatari counterpart, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Qatar, that Kenya could provide security personnel to support the Supreme Committee on Delivery and Legacy of Qatar in providing security services during the 2022 FIFA world cup in Qatar," he said.

While noting that the launch of the Qatar Visa Center in Nairobi was in an advanced stage, Matiang’i said Kenya would ride on the existing bilateral agreement between the two countries. The centre is expected to speed up the processing of visas and other documents.

"The centre will not only expedite the processing of travel documents but will also come in handy in the maintenance of an updated database of diaspora workers," added Matiang’i.

Qatar will be the first Middle East country to host the FIFA World Cup since its establishment in 1930. Over 1.2 million tourists are expected to attend the world’s biggest football competition in Doha.