Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho has issued a statement in which the government ordered an immediate crackdown on illegal immigrants.

This follows an influx of Pakistani nationals cited in Nairobi and Athi River estates.

Kibicho said the Department of Immigration and the National Police will undertake the exercise.

He also said most Asian nationals spotted in the country come from Pakistan are en route to Saudi Arabia and confirmed they have valid transit visas.

The Pakistani nationals are reported to be living in hotels and Airbnb establishments within the city.

According to the statement, Kenya has witnessed a surge in the number of foreign travellers through its international airports.

The government is also concerned about the threat the influx of foreign travellers poses especially in the wake of COVID-19.

“In the last four months, Kenya has witnessed a surge in the number of foreign travellers transiting through our international airports. The Kenyan Government is however alarmed by the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic posed by the influx of foreign travellers transiting through the country,” the statement read.

Kibicho said henceforth, the government will restrict the number of foreigners transiting through the country to safe levels.

“Going forward, the Government will restrict the number of foreigners transiting through the country to levels that do not pose a risk to Kenya’s national interests,” he added.