Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga has assured the Kenyan Somali community they are not targets in the crackdown on illegal immigrants. The PM also assured those in legitimate businesses would be protected by the law and urged them to lodge complaints when their interests as citizens or legal immigrants are threatened.
Raila also appealed the US Government to mobilise international support for the Transitional Federal Government in Somalia, saying stability in the Horn of African nation would curb terrorism and piracy.Earlier, Raila told officials of the Eastleigh Business Community and Somali Leaders Forum who visited his Treasury office, that the ongoing operation aimed at ensuring security.
"The Government does not have any hidden agenda against the members of the Somali community. We welcome the investment you have put in the country and if the current operation appears to be getting abused, we will investigate and take necessary action," he told them.
The officials said they do not condone the presence of illegal immigrants or defend their arrests and deportation.
They backed the move to rid the country of criminals, but expressed concern the crackdown appears to be targeting Somalis and their businesses.
Police have arrested more than 1,000 illegal immigrants. The move appears to have been prompted by the deportation of Jamaican cleric Abdullah al-Faisal, last week.
