The Ministry of Foreign Affairs now says that Kenya had to repatriate four Türkiye Nationals in order not to sever ties with Turkey.
Foreign Affairs PS Sing'Oei Korir, who on Monday confirmed that the four had been deported back to their country on Friday, said the move followed a request of the Turkish government.
The PS said that Kenyan heeded the request owing to the founding principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
However, Sing'Oei admitted that the matter placed Kenya in a dilemma.
“Harbouring the subversive elements accused of
undertaking activities detrimental to a friendly country posed both a
diplomatic and humanitarian dilemma to Kenya,” the PS stated.
The PS spoke during a Roundtable Discussion with the Civil Society on the Review of Foreign Policy.
Sing''oei said Kenya had to deport the four to sustain the existing cordial relationship between the two countries.
He said Kenya has historical and strategic diplomatic ties with Türkiye being a vital player in the East African region, particularly on matters of peace and security.
“The repatriation, therefore, was not a departure from the humanitarian principle and ethos for persons fleeing conflict and persecution that Kenya strongly endorses, but a crucial balancing of interests for the bigger good,” Sing’Oei said.
He added that the deportation was done upon getting assurance from the Turkish government that the four citizens would be treated with dignity consistent with national and international laws.
The PS added that Kenya is committed to the protection and promotion of refugee rights as prescribed under national and international law.
The deportation of the four came after they were allegedly abducted by four armed men on Friday in Nairobi’s Kileleshwa, Karen, and Upper Hill areas.
The matter raised concerns from humanitarian agencies such as Amnesty International.
Amnesty expressed fears that the four could face persecution and serious human rights violations, a move they added underscored "growing concerns about the safety of all refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya".