Kenyans who commit crimes in the United Kingdom will now face immediate deportation after sentencing. This comes after the UK government announced strict new laws on Sunday, August 10, aimed at fast-tracking the removal of foreign criminals.
Under the old system, foreigners sentenced for crimes could serve part of their jail time in the UK before being considered for deportation.
In June 2025, that threshold was cut to just 30% of the sentence. Now, the rules have changed again, in some cases, deportation will happen right after sentencing.
The move is part of the UK’s “Plan for Change” strategy, which focuses on stronger border control, lower prison costs, and keeping the public safe. Officials say too many people were abusing the old immigration system to avoid being sent home.
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UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood strongly supports the new law. She said:
“If you abuse our hospitality and break our laws, we will send you packing.”
According to the UK government, prisons are almost full, at nearly 100% capacity. It costs around Ksh 9.4 million (£54,000) per inmate each year, all paid by taxpayers.
Since July 2024, the UK has deported 14% more foreign national offenders compared to the previous year. In total, about 5,200 foreigners have been removed in the last 12 months.
Kenya is now one of 15 countries newly added to the UK’s “Deport Now, Appeal Later” list. This means that Kenyans, along with citizens from Uganda, Malaysia, Canada, India, and others, can be deported first and only appeal from outside the UK.
The UK says the crackdown is necessary. Figures show 12.3% of prisoners in England and Wales are foreign nationals, that’s 10,700 inmates. Albanians and Irish citizens make up the largest groups, but the inclusion of Kenyans shows rising concern over crimes linked to them.
This policy shift follows a global trend. The United States also recently toughened its immigration stance. In January 2025, it was revealed that over 1,200 Kenyans in the U.S. had exhausted all legal appeals and now face deportation.
For Kenyans living abroad, the message is clear: any criminal offence could mean losing the right to remain, instantly.
