Police in Kenya issued a statement regarding the arrest of over 40 Jordanians on Tuesday for violating laws and regulations in this eastern African country, some 3700 kilometers away from their homeland.

“Officers from the Central Police station received information that there were people of foreign origin in the streets begging,” a police spokesperson said after the mass arrest.

He added that the police found 40 foreigners; 19 adults and 21 children all of whom were begging.

“Upon finding them, they were taken to the police station for interrogation and were found to be of Jordanian origin who had tourist visas,” the spokesperson said.

After the police statement was issued, the Secretary-General of the Norwegian Society for Justice and Peace, Dr. Tariq Anani, told Roya that the association bailed the Jordanians out. Anani added that they were given a five-day deadline until all travel procedures were arranged. They must travel before Friday, Sept. 9, he said.

For its part, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced that it is currently following up on the situation and legal measures will be taken against them once they arrive.