Truth about alleged visa fiasco for Kenyans in the UAE

By Mose Wetangula

I read with regret an article in The Standard (May 25), entitled ‘The Emirates Visa Fiasco Demands Urgent Diplomatic Intervention at Higher level". The article refers to a "raging diplomatic debacle involving Kenya and the United Arab Emirates centred on visa requirements and now work permit restrictions on Kenyans". It alleges many Kenyan expatriates who work overseas are affected and that the recent visit by the Foreign Affairs Minister appears to have done little to unlock the impasse. It is regrettable the article repeats many of the unsupported allegations recently bandied by those with jaundiced view of the workings of my ministry in particular and ignorance about the role of Foreign ministries around the world. The article also displays an astonishing level of dishonesty about what we have been able to achieve so far as a ministry following the unfortunate misunderstanding with the UAE over visas for Kenyans following the deportation of their nationals. And to imply that my ministry was partly to blame for the unfortunate incident is ludicrous and absolute drivel.