John Mulwa, a Kenyan chef credited with introducing popular dishes to Canada and known for his philanthropic work, was facing deportation but has now been given an 18-month extension on a temporary residence permit.
The permit was issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, allowing Mulwa to live and work in Canada until his application for permanent residency is completed.
He was seeking humanitarian intervention to prevent deportation by the Canadian Border Services Agency for allegedly violating immigration laws.
Mulwa moved to Canada in 2014 seeking asylum due to safety concerns, initially being granted protected person status but facing several appeals over the years.
“What I’m asking from the government of Canada is for them to grant me status so I can walk and be at peace and not be killed,” Mulwa told Global News on Monday. “If I go home, something bad will happen to me.”
Mulwa claims some of his family members have been killed over land disputes and it will not be safe for him to return.
“The people who are threatening me and my family are definitely going to come for me,” he said in a past interview.
His lawyer has cited challenges in substantiating Mulwa’sclaims of facing violence if he returns to Kenya.
“This is a challenge because if you are running away, for example like John who is running away from Kenya, it would be a challenge for to be able to get evidence from that country,” he said.
