Gov't Officials from National ID, Immigration, Chief and DCI arrested for facilitating documents for Foreigners and Criminals

A high-stakes, multi-agency operation has exposed a deep-rooted syndicate dealing in government documents, leading to the arrest of at least 26 individuals, including chiefs, clerks, and officers from critical departments.

The meticulously planned, two-day sting, which authorities say was fully intelligence-driven, targeted a sprawling network accused of the illegal and unprocedural issuance of vital documents. The sought-after papers include National Identity Cards, Passports, Birth Certificates, and even Foreigner/Alien ID Cards.

"This was a well-coordinated criminal enterprise brazenly bypassing all standard procedures," an investigating officer, who sought anonymity, told this publication. "They exploited their access and authority to irregularly register individuals, completely sidelining the official verification systems meant to safeguard our national security."

The net caught a wide range of suspects: civil servants from the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the Directorate of Immigration Services, local administrators—including Assistant Chiefs—as well as freelance middlemen, businessmen, and alleged financiers who used corrupt channels to fast-track the process.

The implications, security officials warn, are severe. "This syndicate compromises our national security at the highest level," a senior official stated. "It enables undocumented individuals to enter or exit the country without a trace, access services, and evade the law. It is a direct threat to the integrity of our national data."

During raids on suspects' homes, detectives made startling discoveries. They recovered a large cache of sensitive government materials that should, by law, only be stored in secure government offices. The haul included:

· Filled and blank National ID application forms.

· Official fingerprint-taking equipment (slabs, rollers, and ink).

· Stacks of birth and death certificates.

· Passports and official government stamps.

· Various other registration tools.

THE ACCUSED

Among those arrested and currently detained are:

1. Judy Kemunto Ondari – Registrar of Persons, Embakasi

2. Moses Mugoya Margaret – Clerk, Registrar of Persons Head Office (NSSF Building)

3. Ruth Osebe Sukuru – Registrar of Persons, Kamukunji

4. Jawahir Mohamed Muse – Assistant Chief, Eastleigh North

5. Moulid Yusuf Dige – Businessman

6. Mohamed Issack Gedow – Assistant Chief, Eastleigh

7. Abdirizak Osman Rage – Freelance middleman

8. Alfred Opia Ayaway – Freelance middleman

9. Abdirizak Abdi – Electronics technician

10. Abdirashid Mohamed Ali – Clerk, Shima Group International

11. Festus Bahati Chai – Fingerprints Technician, Registrar of Persons Head Office

12. Abdirizack Bashir Farah – Freelance middleman

13. Samatar Osman Robne – Businessman

14. Fuadh Bulle Mohamed – Businessman

15. Geoffrey Mokoro Mutanya – Clerk, Immigration Head Office

16. Joseph Mwendwa Munyithia – Registrar of Persons, Kariokor

All suspects are being processed by multi-agency teams ahead of their formal arraignment in court.

Police say the operation is a clear signal of the government's renewed resolve to dismantle cartels that have commercialized and corrupted the process of issuing foundational identity documents. "We are cleaning house," the official added.

Investigations are far from over, with detectives hinting that more arrests are imminent as they untangle the wider web of this syndicate. In a related probe, security agencies are also investigating allegations that some immigration officers colluded with foreigners to facilitate illegal entry and failed to repatriate individuals already declared unlawfully present by the courts.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities regarding the acquisition of government documents through unofficial channels.