Ugandan Traveler Alleges Systematic Bribe Demands by JKIA Immigration Officers

A Ugandan traveler has accused immigration officers at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) of orchestrating a targeted extortion scheme against holders of Ugandan passports.

Ssenyonjo Henry, who had been visiting Kenya for 28 days, recounted that on August 17, 2026, as he prepared to board a FlyDubai flight to Dubai, officers singled him out and demanded a bribe ranging from KSh 3,000 to KSh 5,000 before allowing him to proceed.

Henry described the experience as a coordinated effort, explaining that even when attempting to change queues, officers redirected Ugandan travelers back to the same officials demanding payments. Both Henry and his companion refused to pay, resulting in delays until airport announcements called their names just before check-in closure, after which they were permitted to board.

One officer reportedly warned Henry, "Next time, don't come to JKIA empty-handed." This incident raises fresh concerns about corruption at one of East Africa's busiest airports.

Corruption Challenges at JKIA

• In July 2026, two Kenya Revenue Authority officials were arrested at JKIA for allegedly soliciting a KSh 120,000 bribe from a traveler.
• Earlier in March 2026, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detained three government officials at the airport on similar charges.
• JKIA immigration officers have also faced serious allegations, including an arrest warrant for officer John Poriot linked to illegal facilitation of Kenyan nationals' exit for exploitation abroad.

Regional Integration and Health Protocols

Henry's experience coincided with heightened health screenings at JKIA amid Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kenya implemented electronic health surveillance forms and temperature checks from June 2026, while airlines required travelers from affected countries to show 21 consecutive days outside those regions before entry.

However, Henry's account suggests that these legitimate health measures may have been exploited by officers to demand bribes from travelers legally permitted to travel.

The incident emerges amid ongoing tensions within the East African Community (EAC) over implementation of the Common Market Protocol, which guarantees free movement of persons. In July 2026, the EAC Council of Ministers addressed unresolved trade barriers, including discriminatory fees and charges that continue to hinder regional integration.