News
26 foreign dancers charged
Posted Friday, September 10 2010 at 16:34
Twenty six foreigners have been arraigned in court for taking up jobs as dancers in Nairobi night clubs.
They also faced the charge of being unlawfully present in the country.
The foreigners, of Indian origin, denied the charges and were given cash bail of Sh30,000 each and ordered to deposit their passports with the Immigration department until their cases are heard and determined.
According to the charge sheet presented before chief magistrate Gilbert Mutembei the 26, most of whom are young women, are said to have been performing as dancers and singers at two bars- Tia Maria bar and Mehifil bar.
One group consisting of Yogesh Kumar, Harif Mohammed , Razia Patel, Saidan Seira, Suleiyan Shawari and Pheroze Mohammed answered to the charge of taking up jobs as dancers at Tia Maria bar in Nairobi’s Diamond Plaza building without valid work permit authorising them to engage in any business.
It is alleged that they committed the offence on September 10, 2010.
The second group was charged with taking up jobs as dancers and singers at Mehifil bar along Chiromo lane in Westlands without work permit and in contravention of the Immigration Act.
The foreigners denied the charges and their case will be heard on October 13 and 14.
The prosecution wanted the foreigners to be denied bail arguing that they do not have their passports giving an impression that their nationality is not known clearly.
This was objected to by lawyers Manjit Billings, David Oyatta and David Majanja saying the offence against the 26 is a bailable one.
Secondly, the lawyers said that the prosecution knew the nationality of their clients since they had indicated that in the charge sheet.
The magistrate disagreed with the prosecution’s argument saying it is self defeating because it is indicated in the charge sheet that the accused persons are from India.
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Submitted by walimashahiriPosted September 13, 2010 04:38 AM
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Submitted by nyakwarmburi
Congatulations to the police who arrested these so called "dancers". It is high time kenyans looked at things in terms of Law. Either one has broken the law or is acting within the law. Who says when one says he/she is a dancer then that is exactly who they are? The law should also arrest those who are employing them since they have also broken the law. US is a success story because the rule of law is solely the basis on which everyones activity is judged, big or small. So we should follow suite.
Posted September 12, 2010 11:28 PM -
Submitted by sistermpole
How is the law applied in Kenya, if the employers who operate the two bars are not in the dock as well? How did the dancers end up in Kenya? Someone must have imported them for his own gain and may still draws a commission for their dancing work. Otieno Kajwang and his labor ministry counterpart as well as the PC for Nairobi who heads the licensing board for the bars should come clean on this one.
Posted September 12, 2010 11:20 PM -
Submitted by Iroja
@promulgatedkabisa you dont seem understand what is important for Kenya. Anybody who has talent that can make Kenyans spend money should be let in. Do you have any clue how many people get to earn income because of a single exotic dance? The farmers, taxi drivers, security staff, hotel rooms, EABL, even KRA get more tax shillings. And no, I did not say anything about Congolese (stop trying to make this an ethnic issue). Think through these things before opening your mouth eh?
Posted September 12, 2010 04:02 PM -
Submitted by cockup
Ussless.Had they employed themselves in their own clubs?I Did not see their employers charged.The dancers must have refused to be exploited by their rich masters who work in cahoots with our immigration officers.Kenyan immigration office is as dead as a dodo.
Posted September 12, 2010 11:21 AM
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These indians broke the law.Apparently kenya is the land of opportunity for them thanks to the likes of Kamlesh pattni.They should not be excused.While no kenyan of right mind would dance in an indian club their employers should be fined for smuggling them in.Respect the laws of kenya if you want to do business here simple.