Traveling to a new country usually involves filling out forms and paying standard official processing fees. However, for many Somali travelers attempting to enter or stay in Kenya, obtaining standard travel approvals has become a costly and frustrating experience.
Formal complaints submitted to Kenyan law enforcement authorities describe a systematic scheme within the Department of Immigration at Nyayo House in Nairobi allegedly operating under the leadership of Immigration Director General Evelyn Cheluget where applicants are forced to pay inflated sums far beyond the required government rates.
Under standard procedures, a referral visa or an electronic travel authorization costs thirty-four dollars.
Yet, numerous reports indicate that members of the Somali community are regularly charged between one hundred seventy-five dollars and two hundred twenty-five dollars for the exact same document.
Applicants who attempt to use the official online systems directly often find their applications delayed or completely stuck, making the use of specialized intermediaries almost unavoidable.
According to documents submitted by community representatives, this inflated pricing structure is maintained through a coordinated network of public officers, local brokers, and security contacts.
Working alongside Director General Cheluget, key individuals allegedly include Abdulrahman Pashua Juma, an operator based in the Nyali suburb of Mombasa who reportedly handles over twelve hundred applications every week.
On the ground in Nairobi, individuals such as Abdiaziz Ibrahim and Mohamed Salah Igge, operating near Eastleigh shopping centers, allegedly serve as money collectors and passport couriers.
Internal immigration operations are allegedly managed by senior visa officers John Ndegwa and Richard Chesang, while National Intelligence Service liaison officer Shem Ateka is named as providing protection for the group.
The situation contains even more serious assertions regarding where these extra funds are going.
One of the most severe claims in the filed reports suggests that Director General Cheluget claimed to collect around four million Kenyan shillings every weekend, describing the money as contributions for political campaign activities.
If investigators prove this claim, it would indicate that money taken from travelers is being used for political financing rather than simple workplace corruption.
The growing frustration led community leaders in June 2026 to copy their formal grievances directly to Kenyan President William Ruto and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
This diplomatic step highlights the tension created by the issue, especially as high-ranking Somali officials have also experienced entry disputes at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport while ordinary citizens deal with persistent payment demands.
In response to these allegations, community leaders have outlined specific demands for government intervention.
They are calling for the immediate suspension of all senior officials and officers named in the complaints while formal inquiries take place. They also want system access restored to honest immigration officers who were allegedly locked out of processing programs after refusing to participate in the scheme, along with safety protections for whistleblowers who report receiving threats.
Independent investigative bodies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, have access to digital evidence such as application submission logs, computer internet protocol addresses, messaging records on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, and official bank transactions to confirm whether these claims are true.
It is vital to emphasize that these statements remain accusations that have not been proven in a court of law.
None of the individuals mentioned in the community reports including Evelyn Cheluget, Abdulrahman Pashua Juma, Abdiaziz Ibrahim, Mohamed Salah Igge, John Ndegwa, Richard Chesang, or Shem Ateka have been convicted of any crime.
The entire matter remains dependent on thorough, independent verification by the proper legal authorities in Kenya.Official recognition for Immigration Director General Evelyn Chelunget.
For detailed information refer to Kenya Insights
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