NAIROBI, Kenya- The Open Society Foundations has questioned Kenya’s commitment to the rule of law after authorities denied its Managing Director for Africa, Brian Kagoro, entry into the country despite an existing court order.
In a statement, the organisation said Kagoro was barred from entering Kenya this week despite the High Court directing authorities in June to permit him to travel to the country.
Kagoro was travelling to Kenya to attend proceedings in a case arising from his deportation in February.
According to the foundation, the June order allowed Kagoro to enter and remain in Kenya pending the determination of the case challenging his deportation.
“The Open Society Foundations are concerned that the Kenyan government’s commitment to the rule of law is under question after it disregarded a court order and denied entry this week to Brian Kagoro, Open Society’s managing director for Africa,” the organisation said.
Open Society said preventing Kagoro from entering the country had affected his ability to meet his lawyers and participate in proceedings connected to his case.
“The decision to bar Kagoro from entering Kenya prevents him from being able to exercise his legal rights to meet his lawyers and attend any proceedings related to his case,” the foundation said.
The organisation did not provide further details about the circumstances under which Kagoro was denied entry or the point of entry where the incident occurred.
Following the development, the High Court directed the Attorney-General to explain why Kagoro was denied entry despite the earlier order allowing him to travel to Kenya.
The government’s explanation will form part of the continuing court proceedings over Kagoro’s deportation and subsequent attempt to return to the country.
