Concern spread among Kenyans and other African nationals after a viral notice claimed Cambodia would begin arresting and imprisoning Africans living in the country illegally from June 1, 2026, but authorities have now dismissed the document as fake.
The widely circulated notice, which appeared to originate from Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior, alleged that African nationals who failed to leave the country before May 31 would face arrest, two years in jail, and an $8,000 fine before being allowed to exit Cambodia.
Kenya’s ambassador in Thailand, who also serves as the country’s envoy to Cambodia, moved to calm fears after the document sparked panic online.
“The General Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia wishes to clarify that the information published on those websites is completely untrue,” the ambassador said in a clarification.
The fake notice specifically mentioned citizens from Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and Uganda, claiming Cambodian authorities would launch operations targeting foreigners allegedly hiding in different parts of the country.
It further carried names, signatures, official branding, and contact details purportedly belonging to senior Cambodian immigration officials, making it appear authentic to many social media users.
However, the Kenyan envoy insisted no such directive had been issued by Cambodian authorities.
“We urge Kenyans to disregard the circulating document because it is not authentic and does not reflect any official position from Cambodian authorities,” the ambassador said.
The incident triggered debate online, with some users questioning the harsh language used in the alleged directive, while others expressed concern about possible travel implications for Africans working, studying, or doing business in Cambodia.
Authorities have since urged the public to rely on verified information from embassies, official government channels, and diplomatic missions instead of unverified social media posts.
The incident also renewed concerns over the growing spread of misinformation online, particularly fake government notices designed using official-looking formats and branding to mislead the public.
