A UK immigration detention centre has become “volatile and less safe” after a sevenfold increase in serious incidents in the last year, a damning report from a government watchdog has found. The facility, located near Gatwick airport, recorded 28 serious events in 2024, a sharp rise from just four in 2023.

This dramatic spike in incidents, which included large-scale protests and detainees jumping onto anti-suicide netting, necessitated calling in specialist tactical units on 12 separate occasions to restore order. The report by the Independent Monitoring Board paints a grim picture of a system under severe strain, a situation that directly impacts the lives and well-being of detainees, some of whom could be from East African nations including Kenya.

The findings are particularly troubling for Kenyans who see the UK as a destination for work or refuge. Recent changes to UK visa rules have already created uncertainty for many, and this report adds a layer of concern about the conditions individuals may face if detained. While specific numbers of Kenyan detainees at this centre are not provided, the broader context of tightening immigration control remains a key issue for the diaspora.

A Pattern of Misconduct and Neglect

The report also highlights serious allegations against the staff of Serco, the private company managing the centre. Twenty-two officers were investigated for serious misconduct, including allegations related to the use of force. While Serco sources claim 21 of these complaints were unsubstantiated, the sheer number of investigations points to a potentially toxic environment.

This is not the first time the facility, formerly known as Brook House, has been at the centre of a scandal. A BBC Panorama investigation previously exposed serious assaults and malpractice by G4S guards, the former operators, leading to a public inquiry and 33 recommendations for fundamental change. Critics argue this latest report shows that deep-rooted problems persist, regardless of the contractor in charge.

The report details a catalogue of concerns, including:

• Instances of “intimidating, callous and disrespectful behaviour” by staff.
• Prolonged detention periods, with one man held for 708 days and another for over 400 days, despite detention being intended for short durations.
• A majority of detainees (3,134) being released back into the UK rather than removed, questioning the effectiveness of the entire detention process.

The Shadow of the Rwanda Plan

The period covered by the report coincided with the UK government's controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, a scheme that has since been cancelled by the new Labour government. The report notes the arrival of 79 asylum seekers destined for Rwanda over a single weekend, who were described by Home Office staff as “shocked and bewildered.”

The Rwanda policy, though now defunct, created a climate of fear and uncertainty that likely contributed to the centre's volatility. The scheme's high cost, estimated to be at least £318 million (approx. KES 52.8 billion), drew heavy criticism for being an expensive and inhumane experiment. Its cancellation was a relief for human rights organisations, but the trauma for those detained under its shadow remains.

For many in Kenya, the UK's shifting immigration landscape is a source of constant anxiety. As the British government continues to reform its policies, the fundamental questions raised by this report—about duty of care, corporate accountability, and the very purpose of immigration detention—reverberate globally, demanding urgent and humane answers.