Decision to deny Briton work permit defended
What you need to know:
- Investor has been accused of taking part in subversive activities in Kenya
The government has defended its decision not to renew a British investor’s work permit.
Immigration officer Alfred Omangi said they had declined to renew Ms Hannah Lucy Elizabeth’s work permit after Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph ole Lenku declared her a prohibited immigrant for allegedly engaging in subversive activities.
“It is true that she applied for renewal of her work permit but it was declined due to adverse security reports,” said Mr Omangi.
After Mr Lenku’s declaration in October last year, Ms Elizabeth went to court and obtained orders restraining the government from deporting her until her case was heard and determined.
Ms Elizabeth and human rights activist Maina Kiai are founders and co-directors of Inform Action Limited, a non-governmental media production company that focuses on social justice.
The firm produces films on Kenya’s human rights and justice system with personal testimonies from victims of the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Ms Elizabeth said deporting her will deprive her of a chance to live in a place that has shaped her life. She said she has lived in the country since 1988, has a son with Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan and has acquainted herself with the country and its people.
Her investments
Through lawyer Kethi Kilonzo, Ms Elizabeth argued that she was issued with a work permit in 2007 under the auspices of Voxcom Limited and later became an investor — co-director of Inform Action Ltd.
“Ms Elizabeth lodged an application on September 19 for the renewal of her work permit but in November she was notified orally that it had been rejected with no formal notification or written reasons,” said Ms Kilonzo.
Ms Kilonzo submitted that Ms Elizabeth’s livelihood and her investments were under threat.
