Nairobi, Kenya – The failure to effectively manage national borders is undermining public confidence in political leadership and the very idea of nation-states, a critical warning issued by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Speaking ahead of a meeting with European interior ministers in London on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, Mahmood emphasised that international cooperation is essential to curb irregular migration.

Mahmood, who assumed the role of Home Secretary on September 5, 2025, after serving as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, stated that citizens rightfully expect their governments to control who enters and leaves their countries. She noted that this expectation is currently unmet in many nations, leading to a decline in trust not only in political leaders but also in the credibility of the state itself.

Her remarks, while directed at a European context, carry significant weight in Kenya, a country grappling with complex migration dynamics. Kenya serves as a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and refugees, facing its own set of challenges related to border security and irregular migration.

Historical and Political Context in Kenya

Kenya's strategic location in East Africa makes it susceptible to cross-border movements, including those driven by economic factors, regional instability, and conflict in neighbouring countries like Somalia. The collapse of a stable government in Somalia in 1991, for instance, has significantly complicated Kenya's border and internal security, leading to increased cross-border criminal activities and illegal migration.

Over the years, Kenya has experienced substantial internal migration, alongside being a major destination for refugees, particularly from Somalia, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This influx has at times strained government authorities and led to tensions with host communities, with security concerns often shaping the government's response to refugee populations.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

Kenya has developed several migration policies, including a National Migration Policy Draft, Kenya Vision 2030, a National Labour Migration Policy Draft, and a National Diaspora Policy. The country actively participates in regional consultative processes (RCPs) such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to foster cooperation on migration issues.

Despite these frameworks, inconsistencies in policy implementation and a lack of comprehensive approaches addressing all migrants, including irregular ones, persist. There are also concerns regarding the occasional lapses in ensuring migrants' rights, with law enforcement sometimes failing to differentiate between irregular migrants, asylum seekers, and criminals.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The Kenyan government, through the Directorate of Immigration and Citizenship Services and the National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM), adopts a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach to migration governance. This involves collaboration with state and non-state actors, including international partners like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

However, reports indicate that refugees and immigrants in Kenya have faced a rising public backlash, often fueled by media narratives and government pronouncements that link immigration to national security threats. This can lead to increased police harassment, intimidation, and extortion, particularly for Somali refugees.

Evidence and Data

Risks and Implications

The challenges of border security in Kenya are multifaceted. Porous borders, particularly along the Kenya-Somalia frontier, are exploited by criminal elements and terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab, leading to insecurity and attacks on Kenyan security forces and civilians. Allegations of corruption at border entry and exit points further exacerbate these vulnerabilities, facilitating human trafficking and smuggling.

The perception that increased immigration correlates with a rise in criminality also contributes to public anxiety, despite arguments that migrants, fearing deportation, may be less likely to engage in criminal activities. The failure to address these security concerns effectively can erode public trust, as highlighted by Home Secretary Mahmood.

Unknowns and Controversies

While Kenya has made efforts to combat human trafficking, there is scope for scaling up and improving these initiatives. Data collection often fails to distinguish between smuggling and trafficking, and information-sharing among national, regional, and international stakeholders could be enhanced.

The situation of rejected asylum seekers also remains a significant knowledge gap in Kenya, with limited information available on their circumstances.

Timeline and Next Steps

The UK Home Secretary's call for international cooperation on migration, made on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, underscores a global recognition of shared migration challenges. For Kenya, ongoing initiatives like the UN Joint Programme on Migration (December 2024 - June 2026) aim to strengthen migration governance and service delivery.

What to Watch

Observers will be keen to see how Kenya continues to balance its security imperatives with its commitments to protecting migrant rights. The effectiveness of international collaborations, such as the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement with Germany, in facilitating safe and orderly labour migration will also be a key area to monitor. Furthermore, the ongoing efforts to strengthen border controls and combat corruption at entry points will be crucial in building public trust and enhancing national security.