President William Ruto has refuted reports suggesting that Kenya has entered into an agreement with the United States to host illegal immigrants deported from the country. Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Ruto made it clear that his government has not received any such request.
The President was responding to a question from a France 24 journalist, who asked whether Kenya had been approached by Washington following reports that the US had reached similar arrangements with several African nations. These include Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, and most recently Uganda.
“We have no such requests,” Ruto asserted, stressing that there had been no formal communication between Nairobi and Washington on the matter.
While dismissing the speculation, the Head of State added that if such a request were to be made in the future, it would have to be considered strictly within the framework of the Kenyan Constitution.
“If we were to get a request from the US government, that has to be in line with the Kenyan law,” Ruto explained, emphasizing that there must be a legal basis for hosting foreign immigrants expelled from another country.
The remarks come barely two weeks after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni accepted a similar arrangement with the US. Kampala’s move has sparked widespread debate, given that Uganda already hosts Africa’s largest refugee population. Critics argue that the deal could strain the country’s resources, while supporters view it as part of a long-standing tradition of Uganda’s open-door refugee policy.
Ruto’s firm stance signals Kenya’s cautious approach toward international migration agreements, particularly those involving deported immigrants. With the issue gaining traction globally, Kenya’s position is expected to draw further attention in regional and international forums.
