President Ruto denies Kenya’s involvement in US migrant deportation deals

President William Ruto has denied claims that Kenya is part of a US plan to deport illegal immigrants to select African countries.

Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Ruto said Kenya had "not received any request" from Washington to accept migrants expelled from the United States.

The clarification followed a question from France 24 on whether Kenya had been approached, after reports emerged that the US had signed repatriation deals with Ghana, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Uganda.

"We have no such requests," Ruto said, emphasising that no formal communication had been made. He added that any such proposal would have to comply strictly with Kenyan law.

"If we were to get a request from the US government, that has to be in line with the Kenyan Constitution. There must be a legal justification for why Kenya should host foreign immigrants expelled from the US," he said.

His remarks come two weeks after Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni confirmed that his country would accept deported migrants under certain conditions.

Kampala insisted it would not take in individuals with criminal records or unaccompanied minors.

Uganda currently hosts Africa's largest refugee population, a factor that has fueled both domestic criticism and international attention following its deal with Washington.

Ruto's comments suggest Nairobi is wary of being drawn into similar arrangements without a clear legal or humanitarian framework.

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