Over 10 Top NASA Leaders to Have their Passports Suspended

The government plans to strip off passports of at least 10 National Super Alliance (Nasa) leaders in the ongoing purge on those at the centre of opposition leader Raila Odinga's swearing-in.

Daily Nation reports that sources within Interior Ministry and the Directorate of Immigration and Registration of Persons indicated that letters of suspension of passports to those affected were drafted on Friday and will be dispatched starting next week.

The government has already declared Nasa's National Resistance Movement (NRM) a criminal group, conducted a number of arrests, withdrawn bodyguards and revoked firearms licences of key opposition figures.

A senior state officials said that among those whose passports could be suspended include, Siaya Senator James Orengo, former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant Miguna Miguna – who is still in police custody and controversial billionaire businessman Jimi Wanjigi.

The decision to suspend the passports is said to arrived at during a National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) meeting held at Harambee House on Monday. NSAC meetings are usually chaired by the Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.

“The operation will ensure we not only monitor their movements in the country but also see to it they cannot find safe havens elsewhere,” a source told Nation.

Reached by the Nation for a comment on the matter, Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa denied having any knowledge of such a plan.

“I am not aware of such action, thanks,” the retired Major-General, who is also the Principal Secretary nominee for Border Control and Registration of Persons, said.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Mwenda Njoka said: “I wouldn’t know if there are such plans. I can only speak about this if there is evidence of the suspension."