Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has issued a stern directive requiring Cabinet ministers who hold Kenyan passports to surrender them or step down from their government positions. The announcement was made during a Cabinet meeting in Mogadishu on Thursday.
Sources close to the discussions revealed that the President gave ministers a clear ultimatum: retain their Somali government roles or keep their Kenyan travel documents, but not both. This move aims to enforce exclusivity in citizenship status among senior government officials.
The directive immediately caused friction within the Cabinet. Several ministers challenged the President’s stance, citing Somalia’s legal recognition of dual citizenship. They argued that holding multiple nationalities does not disqualify an individual from serving in public office, as per current Somali laws.
The disagreement has raised questions about how the order will be enforced and whether ministers who refuse to comply will resign or face dismissal. No official deadline has been announced for compliance, and the number of affected ministers remains undisclosed.
Heightened Kenyan Immigration Scrutiny
The directive coincides with increased Kenyan immigration checks targeting Somali officials traveling with Kenyan passports. Kenyan authorities have reportedly intensified verification efforts at border entry points, placing numerous Somali government figures on watchlists to confirm the legitimacy of their travel documents.
Kenya is also investigating potentially fraudulent acquisition of its passports and national identity cards, suspecting some documents were unlawfully obtained. These measures have contributed to diplomatic tensions between Nairobi and Mogadishu, particularly around issues of citizenship, immigration, and cross-border movement of officials.
Significance of Kenyan Passports
Kenyan passports offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 70 countries, making them highly valuable for international travel and official business. In contrast, Somali passports grant more limited global access, increasing the incentive for Somali officials to hold Kenyan travel documents.
As of now, neither the Somali presidency nor the Kenyan government has publicly commented on the Cabinet directive or the enhanced immigration controls.
