Soldier Denis Omondi to be reunited with daughter after Home Office visa U-turn

Denis Omondi, who serves with 3 Scots, had only phone calls to stay in touch with daughter Anne in Kenya after she was denied a visa to live with him and wife Shelagh Whyte in the Highlands.

Now they could be reunited in little over a week if her passport is returned within the expected time frame.

The Kenyan lance corporal is based at Fort George and married Whyte from Inverness, in late 2017. But although he has sole custody of 14-year-old Anne, officials refused to allow her to move to the UK.

The decision left her living in a Kenyan boarding school as her father and stepmother, who is recovering from cancer, urged the Home Office to reconsider.

Their story, highlighted in the House of Commons by MP Drew Hendry, garnered support from thousands of people who called on Home Secretary Sajid Javid to act.

Today Omondi said he was "overwhelmed" after immigration officials confirmed they had changed their mind.

The decision could see Anne board a flight to Scotland within days.

Omondi told The National: "The support we have got from colleagues and people we have never met has been overwhelming.

"I don't know what to say. I'm just really happy."

Omondi, who has no contact with Anne's mother, only learned he was her father seven years ago. The pair have not seen each other for a year and he is now planning to use upcoming leave to help the teenager explore what will be her new country.

Omondi said: "She's so happy. There are a lot of places in Scotland to take her. I've never had that time with her – in the little time I've had with her, it's been a week here or there to take her on safari. This is going to be brilliant.

"I have leave at Easter, and if she's here by then we will use that. If I'm working, I know Shelagh will be able to drive her to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth. This will be a good experience for her. It will give her her life."

Omondi's mother and sister in Kenya are now helping to finalise details for the move.

He said: "Other Commonwealth soldiers are saying to me 'it's good that you're telling your story', because this happens to a lot of people. I don't want it to happen again.

"When you're in the army, family is important. When you're away, you're proud to serve and proud to have your family. The army has been supportive since this started."

Hendry said: “I am absolutely delighted for Denis, Shelagh and Anne. The past months have been incredibly difficult for them and, at least now they can look forward to the future and finally be together as a family.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported them and including the thousands of people who signed the petition calling on the Home Secretary to right this wrong. I know the outpouring of support and friendship meant the world to them all.

“I hope lessons can be learned from this case to avoid putting others through the same difficulties.”

The Home Office said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits, on the basis of the evidence available and in line with UK immigration rules. Following the submission of additional information and a review of Mr Omondi’s case we are satisfied that the application now meets the immigration rules.”