The government has repatriated 80 of the 120 Ethiopian nationals who were held in Isiolo police custody waiting to be returned home following the court’s directive a month ago.
Isiolo OCPD, Mr. Daniel Kamanza said that despite the part repatriation, the local police cell was still crowded and called for quick intervention from the Immigration department which undertook last weekend’s exercise.
Kamanza said that Ethiopians were still sneaking into the country from Wajir, Marsabit and Moyale regions and used Isiolo town as their transit point to Nairobi and other towns in the country.
Isiolo Immigration Officer in-change of Upper Eastern Region, Mr. Boaz Oriwo said that slow vetting of returnees at the border town of Moyale by Ethiopian authorities would delay the repatriation of the remaining aliens.
Kenya News Agency (KNA) learnt that the aliens, aged between 17 and 30 years mainly from Oromo clans in Southern Ethiopia, were on the run fearing to be recruited into the government’s army by force.
Isiolo County Commissioner Mr. Wanyama Musiambo said that the government security officers were on high alert and all ‘panya’ routes were sealed.
He warned that those involved in the smuggling o f the aliens would be prosecuted.
Musiambo said that truck, bus and four wheel drive vehicle drivers were notorious in ferrying aliens from the border points using ‘panya’ routes.
The County Commissioner who supervised the repatriation said that the government’s Nyumba Kumi initiative was working well as locals fully supported it and were giving information on foreigners.
By Abduba Mamo/David Nduro
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