Foreigners seized after gun-wound surgery

By Titus Too

Seven foreigners were arrested moments after they underwent free surgeries sponsored by the Government, Kenya Red Cross Society and a Spanish charity in Kapsabet.

The suspected illegal immigrants had received the free gun-wound operations at Kapsabet District Hospital when they were arrested.

Nandi OCPD Nelson Okioga said the seven were suspected to be of Somali origin.

"We received information of their presence at the hospital. We became suspicious after we found out that they could not speak Swahili," said Mr Okioga.

The OCPD said all the suspects did not have national identity cards and could only communicate through an interpreter.

"Some of them claimed to be refugees from Lagdera refugee camp, but they lacked registration documents," he said.

The police chief said the foreigners were arrested after they were discharged from the hospital following the surgical operation. He said the suspects would be prosecuted for being in the country illegally.

Red Cross Nandi branch Chairman Joseph Busienei said the suspects were brought in from Isiolo.

"Whenever there is a medical camp organised by Red Cross, we network with all branches to help those who are in need," he said.

The free medical camp, which started at the weekend, has seen more than 20 patients undergo free corrective surgeries.

Bullet wounds

Kapsabet District Hospital Superintendent Edward Serem said doctors were giving free corrective surgeries for cleft lips and injuries occasioned by burns and bullet wounds.

The Pedro Cavadas Foundation from Spain, Kenya Red Cross Society and Ministry of Health offering free corrective surgery.

Patients who have undergone the free operation are admitted to the Kaspabet District Hospital

The medical camp will end on August 29.