35 Ethiopian nationals held in Wajir prison return home

The Kenyan government has deported 35 Ethiopians who were detained at the Wajir prison.(Courtesy)

WAJIR–-The Kenyan government has deported 35 Ethiopians who were detained at the Wajir prison.

The 35 were arrested and charged in Wajir Law Courts on July after being found in Kenya illegally.

Overseeing their release on Thursday, Ali Madey Hassan, Wajir County Prisons Commander said that the refugees were immediately sent back to Ethiopia.

“After consultations with the top county security officials, we facilitated the return of the Ethiopians to their country.” Hassan said.

“In the past the immigrants would have spend three to four months at the Wajir Police Station due to logistical challenges.” he added.

He noted that the decision to repatriate the prisoners was to reduce the cost incurred in accommodating them after the completion of their jail terms.

“As we continue to come with new strategies, in future we decided to come together as government officials to facilitate their transport in order to ease the burden on taxpayers,” he said.

The prison commander finally confirmed that the prisoners, who include 26 men and 9 women were transported back to Ethiopia using a police lorry.

Wajir Resident Magistrate Mugendi Nyaga last month, ordered each of them to pay a fine of Sh50,000 or to serve a month in jail. Most were unable to pay and had to complete the sentence.

Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHCR) early this month revealed several challenges faced by the Ethiopian prisoners: including language barrier, congestion in the cells and lack of standard cell to accommodate the female prisoners.

Hundreds of Oromo origin Ethiopian have crossed the border into Kenya recently, fleeing clashes that have been going on for months and displaced thousands of people.

KNHCR has called on the government to device new ways of dealing with the refugees other than jailing them.