Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Abdirashid Haji said he has voluntarily returned a Kenyan passport that had been issued to him. He said the decision supports transparency and clarity in his public role.
In a statement, Haji said the passport was genuine and lawfully obtained, adding that it followed the relevant laws and procedures. He said returning the travel document was an administrative step designed to meet the standards expected of public officials, and he insisted it was not driven by any disagreement or a request from Kenyan authorities.
Haji also thanked the Government and people of Kenya for their long-standing hospitality and support for Somalis.
“This step is entirely administrative and was not prompted by any dispute or request from any authority. Their generosity and friendship will always be remembered with respect and gratitude,” he said.
Haji said his commitment to the Federal Republic of Somalia remains firm. He added that renouncing his Kenyan citizenship and returning the passport reflects his dedication to keeping his public role clear and accountable.
“Returning the passport reflects my dedication to maintaining absolute clarity in my public role and my steadfast loyalty to Somalia,” he said.
He also reiterated his respect for Kenya and its institutions, saying he remains determined to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
The statement comes days after Kenya and Somalia’s diplomatic ties faced renewed tension. This followed Kenya’s recent denial of entry to Somalia government officials.
The entry denial follows reports that Nairobi has intensified investigations into fraudulently obtained Kenyan passports allegedly held by Somali state officials and politically connected individuals.
The issue also came up during a bilateral meeting between Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 49th African Union Executive Council meeting in Addis Ababa.
After the discussions, a media dispatch said the two ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation on immigration management, consular affairs, and cross-border mobility. However, neither government publicly linked the talks to the reported airport incidents.
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