NAIROBI, Kenya – The Government has evacuated 80 more Kenyans from South Africa as it continues efforts to assist citizens affected by xenophobic violence and intimidation.
The latest group arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night in an operation coordinated by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.
According to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the returnees included minors, vulnerable persons and other priority cases.
Officials said the group represents the largest single batch of Kenyans repatriated from South Africa since the evacuation exercise began.
A multi-agency reception team led by officers from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs received the evacuees at JKIA, conducted debriefing sessions and offered psychosocial support before facilitating reunions with their families.
The latest evacuation brings the total number of Kenyans repatriated from South Africa to 231, following the return of 151 citizens last week.
The evacuation programme was launched after anti-migrant violence escalated in parts of South Africa, prompting hundreds of Kenyans to seek government assistance to return home.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi previously said the government was undertaking a safe, orderly and timely evacuation of Kenyans in distress through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs in collaboration with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.
As part of the diplomatic response, Mudavadi held talks with South Africa’s Minister for International Relations and Co-operation, Roland Lamola, on July 1 regarding the safety of Kenyan nationals.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, South African authorities assured Kenya that they would continue taking the necessary measures to protect Kenyans and other foreign nationals.
Before the latest evacuation, 240 Kenyans had registered with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria seeking assistance to return home.
The government established temporary safe shelters for affected citizens and provided accommodation, food, emergency travel documents, humanitarian assistance, ground transport and flights back to Nairobi.
The Ministry has said evacuation efforts will continue for Kenyans who wish to return home as authorities monitor the evolving security situation.
The government has also advised Kenyans living abroad to comply with the laws of their host countries and ensure their immigration documents remain valid and up to date.
Kenya has expressed appreciation to the South African government for its cooperation during the evacuation exercise while reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the longstanding diplomatic relationship between the two countries.