Somali President Orders Officials to Surrender Kenyan IDs or Quit Government

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has ordered cabinet ministers and senior government officials to surrender any Kenyan passports or national identity cards they hold or leave their positions. 

The directive was issued during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, 30 July.

The order is understood to apply not only to ministers but also to senior civil servants found to possess Kenyan identification documents. Government sources said officials were told they must choose between remaining in public office and keeping their Kenyan documents.

The directive has prompted disagreement within the government. Some cabinet members argue that Somalia's laws allow dual citizenship and that this right should not be limited through an executive decision.

The move follows recent tensions between Somalia and Kenya over immigration matters. In June and July, Somalia's State Minister at the Presidency, Abshir Bukhaari, and Second Deputy Prime Minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, were denied entry into Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. 

Their cases were part of increased checks by Kenyan authorities, who have reportedly placed about 30 Somali officials on airport watchlists, resulting in several refusals of entry in recent weeks. Both governments have begun efforts to address the issue. 

On Wednesday, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, met Somalia's Foreign Minister, Abdisalam Ali, in Addis Ababa. The two sides discussed immigration concerns and agreed to improve cooperation on consular matters to make travel easier for citizens and government officials from both countries.

President Mohamud's directive, however, signals a firmer approach by the Somali government despite those diplomatic efforts. The issue has also renewed discussion about claims that foreign nationals have obtained Kenyan identity documents illegally. Kenyan authorities have repeatedly denied the allegations.

Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has said that foreign nationals are issued only alien identification cards for administrative purposes and not Kenyan national identity cards. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has also said the country's identification system includes safeguards to prevent abuse.