From Narok to notorious: Kenyan grad lands on Trump's "Worst of the Worst" list
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Naserian Montet, a Kenyan woman from Narok who earned multiple US degrees, was convicted of assault and violating a court order in Utah in early 2025
- Montet had personally sponsored her partner, Mr Leshinka's passport, visa and travel from Kenya to Utah, where she was the sole breadwinner
- She was placed on the Trump administration's 'Worst of the Worst' deportation list alongside 14 other Kenyan nationals in late 2025
A Kenyan woman from Narok who built an academic career in the United States and used her earnings to sponsor her partner's move there found herself on the Trump administration's most high-profile deportation list after a domestic dispute in her Utah home ended in criminal convictions.
Naserian Montet was born in Mara Empopongi, Nkoilale, in Narok West constituency, and relocated to Utah in 2016 to pursue higher education.
Over the years that followed, she earned an Associate's degree from Salt Lake Community College, then two Bachelor's degrees and a Master's degree from the University of Utah.
Her academic focus centred on ending early childhood marriage within her home community in Narok.
Montet studying, working as an appraiser in Spanish Fork
While studying and working as an appraiser in Spanish Fork, Utah, Montet used her own income to fund her long-term partner Mr Leshinka's passport, visa processing and flight from Kenya.
He relocated to live with her, and she continued to financially support the household while completing her postgraduate studies.
In early 2025, a domestic dispute between the two reportedly escalated into a physical altercation inside her Spanish Fork residence.
Montet allegedly breached court-mandated boundaries
Responding officers gathered enough physical evidence to secure a criminal conviction against Montet for assault.
Following her arrest, a standard protective order was issued, legally barring her from returning to the shared apartment or contacting Leshinka.
After her release, Montet allegedly breached those court-mandated boundaries, leading to a second independent conviction for violating a court order.
When was Montet placed on Trump administration's "Worst of the Worst" deportation tracking list?
It was the combination of both convictions that drew the attention of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In late 2025, Montet was placed on the Trump administration's "Worst of the Worst" deportation tracking list alongside 14 other Kenyan nationals, with her listed offences recorded as assault and violation of a court order.
The DHS dashboard, once an individual's criminal history and removal order are logged, retains the record permanently as part of immigration enforcement documentation.
Montet's profile remains active on DHS public database
Those who knew Montet in both Utah and Narok described her as a disciplined, goal-driven individual, making the legal fallout a source of considerable shock within diaspora circles.
Reports indicated that Leshinka did not visit her during her detention, and subsequently deleted his social media accounts, changed his phone number and moved to another US state.
Montet's profile remains active on the DHS public database, where her mugshot and criminal history are accessible as part of the administration's immigration enforcement record.
Kenyan to be deported over three serious crimes
In another story, TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about Dennis Nyagesuka, a Kenyan national recently added to the US Department of Homeland Security’s “Worst of the Worst” deportation database, alongside criminal charges including terroristic threats and assault.
This alarming development raised concerns as the total number of Kenyans on the deportation roster continues to grow, impacting families and communities back home.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.