Foreigners looking to work in Kenya to prove they have Sh50m

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Kenya is being flooded by illegal immigrants mostly from Asia and some African countries a situation worsened by corrupt practices among some officers at the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services.

Despite Kenya immigration department asking members of the public to report any foreigners working in the country without valid work permits, some have continuously found a safe haven in the country even without permits.

Detectives have arrested and arraigned Six Chinese nationals-Zhao Zhijuan,Haung Zhingian, Xukang Jiangxi,Ma Jianjun,Guoqzang Yu &Fan Zheqiang- who were found unlawfully in the country and working without work permits in Isiolo. The six were working for an Engineering Company in Isiolo.

Image result for chinese arrested in isiolo

Kenya’s rules on entry and work permits, available in 13 classes depending on the nature of employment or business, were tightened last year to require all new or fresh applicants to get non-renewable two-year work documents. These are subject to the identification of a Kenyan understudy who will eventually take over the job.

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Foreigners seeking to go into business must now prove they have at least Sh50 million, up from $100,000 (Sh8.8 million) previously. This followed changes in 2012 to introduce age, salary and professional restrictions, locking out foreigners under 35 and those making less than $24,000 a year, as well as medical, accounting, engineering, legal and real estate professionals.

The latest crackdown also comes as the immigration department braves an investigation into the illegal issuance of work permits to foreigners. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission had been investigating Maj-Gen (Rtd) Kahalangwa’s predecessor, Ms Jane Waikenda, for the alleged irregular award of 300 work permits to foreigners.

Not only Chinese, we have many Ugandans here who sell counterfeit goods !— GREGORY MUNENE (@GGmunene) April 23, 2019

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