NAIROBI, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government said Tuesday it has seized 31 fake work permits and arrested three suspects in the ongoing work permit verification exercise.

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiangi also issued a three-week ultimatum for all foreigners working in the country to verify their working permits, saying the government will not extend verification and registration exercise which will end on July 22.

"We would not extend the work permits verification exercise for all foreigners who are in the country. Plans are underway to roll out a major crackdown of illegal immigrants who operate here illegally. We ask those who have not verified their work permits documents to do so," he told journalist in Nairobi.

He warned that anyone found without valid permits will face different forms of removal including repatriation and deportation.

Matiangi said the department of immigration services has verified a total of 18,227 work permits and netted 31 fake permits that had been obtained fraudulently.

He said they have arrested three suspects who had been aiding foreigners to obtain fake work permits.

Matiangi appealed to foreigners who do not have work permit to apply for them and those who have them to verify the documents with the immigration department.

"We shall not allow work permits for people who want to work in fields which Kenyans can. We will only allow those with expertise which is rare in Kenya," he warned.

The CS said the government will issue tourist visa for foreign visitors who wish to be in the country.

He said an exemption has been granted to diplomats who represent their country here or a foreigner who had been posted to work in Nairobi by international organization.

Others in the category include a foreign student in the University with a student pass, a professor with a work permit working in Kenya in one of the universities and a doctor with work permit.