source- capitalfm.africa
NAIROBI, Kenya – Somalia’s Second Deputy Prime Minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, has voluntarily surrendered his Kenyan passport and birth certificate to Kenyan authorities, weeks after he was deported from Nairobi over questions surrounding the travel document.
Haji handed over the documents to officials at the Kenyan Embassy in Mogadishu on Monday, describing the move as an administrative decision intended to demonstrate his commitment to serving Somalia.
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In a statement, the Deputy Prime Minister maintained that the Kenyan passport had been legally obtained and used in accordance with Kenyan law. He emphasized that the decision to relinquish it was voluntary and not the result of any order from Kenyan authorities or an ongoing legal dispute.
According to Haji, surrendering the documents reflects his loyalty to the Federal Republic of Somalia and aligns with the responsibilities expected of a senior government official.
He also expressed gratitude to Kenya for hosting Somali citizens over the years, describing the relationship between the two neighbouring countries as longstanding and valuable. Haji said he remains committed to strengthening diplomatic ties between Nairobi and Mogadishu.
Deported From JKIA
The latest development follows an incident at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in late June, when Kenyan immigration officials denied Haji entry into the country.
According to an airport police report, Haji arrived in Nairobi aboard a Saacid Airlines flight using a Somali diplomatic passport accompanied by a valid Kenyan visa.
During immigration clearance, officers questioned him about a Kenyan passport they believed had been irregularly acquired. The report indicated that Haji acknowledged possessing the passport but declined to hand it over when requested, insisting he would only produce it before a court of law.
Following the standoff, authorities held him briefly at the VIP lounge in Terminal 2 before facilitating his return to Mogadishu on a Daallo Airlines flight the following day.
Growing Scrutiny
The matter comes amid increased scrutiny over Somali government officials reportedly holding Kenyan passports.
Reports indicate that Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has instructed public officials who possess Kenyan travel documents to either surrender them or step down from their government positions.
The controversy has also reignited debate in Kenya over the issuance of Kenyan passports to foreign nationals.
Under Kenya’s Constitution and the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act, passports are reserved for Kenyan citizens, including individuals who hold dual citizenship. The law does not provide for non-citizen foreign government officials to possess Kenyan passports, making such cases a recurring subject of legal and political discussion.
The latest developments are expected to fuel further debate on citizenship, immigration controls and bilateral relations between Kenya and Somalia.
