CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE AFRICA ISSUE 0024

Immigration Department TRADE suspends issuance of work permits in tough By J. Opiyo and K. Mogallo anti-graft war Newly appointed Immigration Director Jane Waikenda at the same time announced a raft of new measures to improve services at the department. Ms Waikenda who appears to be keen on giving the department a new face has directed all immigration officers to wear uniforms with their name tags exposed to the public. “This will make it easier for every Kenyan to easily identify them for expedient services. It will also help in dealing with cartels masquerading as immigration officers,” said Ms Waikenda. She noted that those masquerading as immigration officers were working with some genuine officials to execute corruption, saying the new measures have locked all loopholes for “such individuals who have been painting a bad image of the department.” The Corporate Intelligence Africa (CIA) magazine is also informed that in addition to combating bribery, the department is expected to resume focusing on sponsoring companies’ local employment obligations such as the requirement to provide detailed evidence of efforts to recruit Kenyan candidates and impart training to Kenyan employees. The suspension coincides with the arrest of immigration officer for accepting a Ksh20, 000 bribe from a member of the public applying for a passport. Officers from the Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) while acting on orders from Ms Waikenda arrested the border security officer Edward Kabiu on allegations that he assisted a Nigerian national enter the country illegally. The Nigerian Eneke Chimenze had previously been deported alongside suspected drug dealer Anthony Chinedu. Prior to the suspension of permit renewal, the new director in her war against corruption ordered T HE recent move by the immigration department to suspend issuance and renewal of work permits was a result of wanton corruption at the department, CIA Magazine. The department of immigration last suspended new applications for work permits, citizenship, permanent residence, short-term work permits and work permit renewals. The dependent and student pass applications are still accepted, but these applications are also expected to be affected. The action according to reliable sources is to stem the high level of corruption in the department. “The level of corruption in this particular department dealing with work permits has been shocking. The new director wants to clean up the house,” the source said. 56 THE CORPORATE INTELLIGENCE AFRICA FOR AUTHORITATIVE AND EXTENSIVE BUSINESS INSIGHTS www.corporateintelligenceafrica.net

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