After expelling Turkish refugees, let's consider a tourism visa for dissidents

Four Turkish nationals who sought refuge in the country were abducted by State agents and repatriated to Ankara, despite enjoying UN protection that outlaws such actions. Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei confirmed: “Kenya acceded to this request on the strength of the robust historical and strategic relations anchored on bilateral instruments between our respective countries.”

Let’s unpack this kizungu mingi. It simply means: “Kenya has little regard for established international protocols, especially if they come in the way of our short-term and short-sighted political goals.” The four were reportedly picked up from various locations in Nairobi by armed, hooded chaps—the sort that arrested perceived leaders of the recent youth-led protests—and bundled into unmarked vehicles, before being ferreted to the airport for deportation.

I think it would be more strategic for Nairobi to retain such refugees in the country, instead of sending them back to the hostile places that they had fled. This is why: Kenyan policemen are experienced and could possibly do a better job of torture, especially if the goal is to inflict maximum harm on those individuals.

In any case, there will be little wriggle room for such individuals since their home countries will never sue for their release, so they could be held indefinitely. Moreover, since they are little-known in Kenya, no street protests are likely to materialise demanding their release.

But the icing on the cake is that there is no recourse for such violations since the courts can be directed by the State to simply ignore any summons. We should consider a new category of tourism visa for dissidents to shore up our foreign exchange.