Activist Maina Kiai Detained at JKIA After Tussle with Immigration Officers

Immigration officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Sunday detained human rights activist Maina Kiai after they demanded a travel clearance from him.

The vocal activist was expected to catch a flight at 7.50am, but immigration officers declined to stamp his passport and clear him to travel.

The immigration supervisor at the airport Nancy Nganga declined to comment on why the officials demanded clearance from Kuai, yet he is not a government official.

Recently, a Non-governmental Organization linked to Kiai, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) ran into trouble after the state NGO coordination board ordered its accounts frozen for operating illegal bank accounts. Kiai is a member of board of the charitable organization.

His co-worker at Informaction, Lucy Hannan said that Kiai was traveling to Prague, Czech Republic when the incident happened.

"He called a number of diplomats and he has also spoken to other people about it.

"It is really worrying, especially after the attempted crackdown on civil societies.

"And why now yet the presidential petition, which the government was attempting to prevent, has been filled," Ms Hannan said.

He was however allowed to board his flight later.