Five Chinese nationals have been sentenced to one year in prison or to pay a fine of Sh400,000 each for operating a business without work permits.
The foreigners were arrested on January 28 by a multi-agency team comprising police and immigration department officers at a construction company in Imara Daima, Nairobi.
They were initially six- four females and two males.
Police have cautioned employers that it is illegal for any foreigner to work in Kenya without a valid work permit.
They were charged with the unauthorized operation of business contrary to section 53(1) as read with Section 53 (2) of the Kenyan citizenship and immigration Act No 12 of 2011.
The Police in a statement on Saturday said the foreigners will be repatriated back to their respective countries upon completion of their sentences or payment of fines
“While the National Police Service appreciates and welcomes foreigners, we will not hesitate to crack the whip on anyone found contravening the law,” the police said in a statement.
In 2018, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i said that foreigners should apply for work permits from their home countries before seeking work in Kenya.
The CS also warned that Kenya will not issue work permits to foreigners for jobs that can be done by Kenyans.
