NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyans evacuated from South Africa have recounted harrowing experiences of violence, job losses and destruction of property following anti-migrant protests that have swept across parts of the country, prompting the Kenyan government to repatriate dozens of its citizens.
The returnees arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, where they were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs after being evacuated from South Africa through a coordinated government operation.
The latest group included vulnerable persons, families with young children, and other Kenyans who opted to return home following the deteriorating security situation.
Returnees Recall Violence
Speaking after arriving in Nairobi, one of the returnees, Baileon Wambogo, thanked the Kenyan government and officials at the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria for facilitating the evacuation.
He said the repatriation exercise was well coordinated and enabled affected Kenyans to leave safely.
Wambogo said many migrants had lost jobs and businesses during the unrest.
“I have been affected because I have to leave my job, from a very nice company,” he said.
He also urged foreign investors to consider Kenya as an investment destination, saying greater investment would create employment opportunities for young people.
‘They Destroyed My Shop’
Another returnee, Anthony Gathura, said he had moved to Johannesburg last year in search of better economic opportunities but was forced to abandon his plans because of the worsening security situation.
Although disappointed to leave behind the life he had hoped to build, he said he was grateful to have returned home safely.
A third evacuee, identified as Ali, described how he lost his livelihood during the violence.
“They destroyed my shop, stole my phone, and broke my teeth, but I thank God that I made it back home safely,” he said.
Ali also thanked officials from the Kenyan embassy for assisting him throughout the evacuation process.
More Than 200 Seek Repatriation
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said 64 Kenyans were repatriated on Thursday, adding to an earlier group of 26 evacuees who arrived earlier this week.
According to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, more than 200 Kenyans have expressed interest in returning home from South Africa.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria had issued emergency travel documents to citizens who had lost or did not possess valid passports.
“In terms of travel documentation, anybody who didn’t have their passport or whose passport had expired and needed documentation, at the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria we have prepared what is called an emergency travel certificate to allow people to come back home,” Njogu said.
Protests Intensify
The evacuations come as anti-migrant protests continue in several parts of South Africa.
South African authorities said more than 900 people were arrested during nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday as groups calling for undocumented migrants to leave the country intensified their campaign.
Police reported that 108 of the 120 demonstrations remained peaceful. However, violence broke out at 12 protest sites, where incidents of looting, attacks on businesses and public disorder were recorded.
Organisers have indicated that the protests will continue and are expected to expand to additional economic centres in the coming days.
Government Monitoring Situation
The Kenyan government has continued to monitor developments through its diplomatic mission in Pretoria while facilitating voluntary repatriation for citizens wishing to return home.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has advised Kenyans in South Africa to remain vigilant, follow guidance issued by local authorities and maintain contact with the Kenyan High Commission for consular assistance.