Kenya on Wednesday reiterated its one‑China policy after deporting a scientist from Taiwan who, it said, had entered the country on an invalid passport.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei explained that Nairobi had mistakenly issued an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to the scientist, who arrived on a Taiwanese passport that Kenya no longer recognises.
“If, by dint of eTA, authorisation has been issued, it represents a system error on this subject,” Dr Sing’oei said in a statement.
“In any event, such a passport holder would not be part of a formal state meeting convened by the Kenyan government.”
It is the first time Kenya has publicly acknowledged a ban on Taiwanese passports, although Nairobi has long avoided admitting Taiwanese nationals travelling on diplomatic or official reasons. On the official portal for the application of eTAs, the Immigration department still lists Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong alongside People's Republic of China, among 'countries of residence' for applicants to choose. But a source told the Nation that Taiwan passports are only allowed for travel purposes such as tourism, business meetings and family reunions but not as representatives of the Taiwanese government.
China regards Taiwan as its territory and has campaigned vigorously against the recognition of Taiwanese passports, officials or representation as a distinct entity. Macau and Hong Kong are autonomous regions of China and their passports are legally endorsed in Beijing.
The revelations followed the deportation of the scientist, who had been detained on arrival for a conference in Mombasa this week.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Kenya of bowing to pressure from Beijing, while China praised Nairobi for adhering to the one‑China policy.
Kenya’s one‑China policy dates back 54 years, when Nairobi formally recognised Beijing as the capital and the People’s Republic of China as the official government of China, including Taiwan. In a UN General Assembly vote, Kenya backed Beijing to occupy the permanent seat on the Security Council, replacing the Republic of China (Taiwan).
In the past, Taiwan passports were occasionally admitted provided holders did not present themselves as representatives of the Chinese government.
Over the last decade, however, Beijing’s strong diplomatic incentives in Africa have seen more countries switch allegiance from Taipei to Beijing. Only eSwatini still recognises Taiwan. Burkina Faso was the most recent to sever ties in 2019, while South Africa downgraded Taiwan’s representative office in Pretoria and relocated it to Johannesburg.
China has used both carrot and stick: rewarding countries that recognise the one‑China principle and punishing those that do not. The latest incentive is tariff‑free trade for the 54 countries that recognise Beijing. Kenya is among the biggest beneficiaries, exporting avocados, tea and coffee under this arrangement.
Nairobi has responded by tightening restrictions on Taiwanese identities. In 2016, Kenya deported five Taiwanese passport holders to Beijing after some were acquitted of cyber fraud in Kenyan courts. Beijing accused them of defrauding pensioners in mainland China and sought to retry them locally. Taiwan protested, accusing Nairobi of violating their rights.
Under President Ruto, Nairobi has reaffirmed the one‑China policy five times. During his state visit to Beijing in April last year, President William Ruto told his host Xi Jinping that Nairobi recognises only Beijing as the authority over the whole of China.
“Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to the one‑China principle and recognises that there is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China,” a joint communiqué stated.
“Kenya resolutely opposes any form of Taiwan independence and supports all efforts by the Chinese government to achieve national reunification.”
Kenya also said issues related to Xinjiang and Xizang “are China’s internal affairs, as observed in international law and the non‑interference principle.” Both regions have experienced violent rebellions in the past.
By adhering to non‑interference on China, Nairobi is borrowing directly from Beijing’s own playbook on international affairs. China’s official stance is that the internal matters of partner countries are a no‑go zone.
