Matiang'i Deports 17 Foreigners for Engaging in Illegal Business

17 foreigners accused of operating illegal businesses in Kenya are set to be deported back to their countries.

This comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i signed their deportation orders on Tuesday.

The foreign nationals were reportedly found to be running betting businesses in Kenya without the required permits.

The move comes a day after CS Matiang'i ordered a crackdown on foreigners undertaking illegal businesses in the country.

“We will not allow other people to come and do unlawful business in the country. I want to tell you for free those doing this business without a valid license will be deported,” Matiang'i warned on Monday.

He also directed Immigration Principal Secretary Gordon Kihalangwa to review the work permits of all foreign nationals who applied to do business in the country.

“The government supports investors doing business in the country but it has to be within the confines of the law; Kenya is guided by the rule of law,” noted Matiang'i. 

CS Matiang'i said foreigners engaging in gaming business make billions of shillings every year but fail to remit taxes as required.

He revealed that betting firms owe the government Sh26 billion in unpaid taxes.

"Over 90% of players in gaming are foreigners; they repatriate a huge amount of money to their countries.”

“We are here to listen to each other but not to condemn each other, we respect your investment but understand that we have a country to protect and not when asked to pay taxes you rush to the court,” he noted.