Deportation and removal of foreigners from Kenya
Directorate of Immigration Services · sources read 4 Oct 2026
Kenya's Immigration Department can declare a foreigner a prohibited immigrant and remove them, for example after a serious crime, unlawful entry or stay, or a removal order under section 43 of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act. Overstaying or not leaving on time can lead to fines, detention or deportation and a ban on coming back.
- Where
- Directorate of Immigration Services, Ministry of Interior and National Administration (immigration.go.ke)
Steps
- If you are a foreigner and want to stay longer, apply to extend your visitor's pass or renew your permit before it expires.
- On a long stay or long-term permit, report big changes to Immigration, like a new address, employer, school or sponsor.
- Leave Kenya before your permitted time ends, through an official exit point with valid travel documents.
- If a removal order under section 43 is made against you, you must leave Kenya and stay out.
Watch out
- Overstaying without approval breaks immigration law and can lead to penalties, fines or deportation.
- Serious violations can mean detention or deportation, and a ban on re-entering Kenya in future.
- The family and dependants of a prohibited immigrant are also treated as inadmissible.
Who this covers
- Only people who are not Kenyan citizens can be declared prohibited immigrants.
Official sources (4)
- Prohibited Immigrants immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Travelers Obligations immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Border Management immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026
- Vision, Mandate and Mission immigration.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026