A delighted Black Watch soldier serving at Fort George was at last reunited with his teenage daughter amid emotional scenes at Inverness Airport last night .
After a tumultuous five months battling the Home Office, Lance Corporal Denis Omondi, a British citizen originally from Kenya, finally got to hug and kiss 14-year-old Ann after she finally flew into the Highland capital.
The soldier was joined by his wife Shelagh and extended family as he ran to greet the teenager as she walked through the arrivals’ lounge just before 6.30pm.
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Denis, beaming a huge smile as a gave Ann a massive hug, said: “I love you. This is just fantastic.”
L/Cpl Omondi, who has undertaken tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and Cyprus during his eight years’ service, applied for his daughter to join him and wife Shelagh in Inverness last year.
The visa application was initially rejected, despite the soldier having uncontested custody, with UK officials claiming he had not spent enough time at home in Scotland.
However, following a Home Office review and considerable local and national outrage, they overturned the decision earlier this month.
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Speaking outside the airport terminal, Denis, Shelagh and Ann thanked all those who had supported their cause, especially “the fantastic people of Scotland and the Highlands”.
Ann, obviously tired after travelling 18 hours from Nairobi, via Gatwick, with Shelagh’s mother Sandra – and also “overwhelmed” by the media attention – smiled as she said she was “happy” to be back in her father’s arms and “had so many dreams” to live out now she is in Scotland.
Denis said: “I can’t believe it, but I have achieved what I have always wanted. At last I know she is safe.
“This has been a very tough time for our family and we are delighted to finally have Ann with us.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support given by so many to a Commonwealth military family and we hope that this will encourage other families in similar situations to continue their fight.”
He added that the plan was now to take Ann back to her new home, have something to eat and show the teenager her new bedroom.
His wife Shelagh added: “It was a ridiculous decision to reject her application, but it is something hundreds of Commonwealth soldiers are battling – not just Denis – to be reunited with their families.”
L/Cpl Omondi had visited Ann in Kenya every year since 2012, when he first became aware that she was his child.
After the application was rejected, he appealed and he and his wife, who is recovering from breast cancer, sought help from Highland MP Drew Hendry.
Mr Hendry has led the campaign to reunite the family secured and was at Inverness Airport last night to see the emotional reunion.
He said: “We were all really excited to finally meet Ann in person and to see her reunited with her dad and Shelagh.
“It’s an incredible case that has gone from heartbreak to heart-warming.
“It has really caught the attention of the public and rallied their support.
“As the work goes on to tackle the hostile immigration environment created by the UK Government, we can all join in the joy of this event and wish this Highland soldier’s family a happy future together.
“I am absolutely delighted for Denis, Shelagh and Ann.
“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.”
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Ann had attended private school in Kenya, but is now hoping to enrol with Millburn Academy.
A Home Office spokesman said: “All applications are considered on their individual merits.
“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.”
