Somali Deputy PM deported from Kenya & more today
Immigration authorities have deported a high-ranking Somali official following allegations of passport fraud. Additionally, a new fully funded grant has opened for local innovators, and Somali nationals in the region face new restrictions on European travel.
You may face stricter document verification at border crossings following the deportation of Somalia's Second Deputy Prime Minister, Jibril Abdirashid Haji, from Kenya. Immigration authorities removed the official after accusing him of passport fraud in a rare diplomatic incident. This move signals a tightening of border security and a potential shift in how high-level travelers between the two countries are processed.
Young innovators and women in Kenya can now apply for a fully funded program to develop business and social projects. The 2026 UNITAR Empowering Youth and Women Programme, funded by the Japanese government, is accepting applications until July 31, 2026. This "fully funded" opportunity is designed to provide entrepreneurs with the training and resources needed to launch or scale their innovations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
If you are a Somali national living in Kenya, you will now face stricter rules when applying for short-stay visas to Europe. The European Union has imposed temporary restrictions on Schengen visas—which allow travel across most of Europe—for Somalis, citing a lack of cooperation from the Somali government regarding the return of citizens who have been denied asylum. This change will make it more difficult to obtain travel permits for most EU member states.
For more on these stories and other regional updates, visit the app's News section. Read about the latest venture capital trends in African tech, the rise of the "sandwich generation" of caregivers, and how South African tourism is impacting neighboring countries.