The Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, announced the successful evacuation of 29 Kenyans from Lebanon, who arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
This group forms part of the 4th and 5th evacuation cohorts organized by the Kenyan government.
Upon arrival at JKIA, senior leaders from the State Department welcomed the evacuees, who participated in a first-contact counseling session. The session was facilitated by officials from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs’s counseling unit. The evacuees shared their experiences before and during the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
“Another batch of 29 Kenyans from Lebanon arrived this morning and was received by our team at JKIA. We offer counseling and other support services on-site for returning diaspora,” Njogu stated.
The government, through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and other relevant stakeholders, is continuing efforts to evacuate more Kenyans from Lebanon. Njogu confirmed that additional groups of Kenyans are expected to return in the coming days.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, previously outlined the government’s evacuation plan during a press briefing on October 17. Mudavadi stated that the government has established a committee to monitor the evacuation process and allocated Ksh100 million from the National Treasury to fund the effort.
Mudavadi also expressed concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East and urged all Kenyan ambassadors in the region to immediately register Kenyans in their jurisdictions, emphasizing that many do not follow official travel channels or register with the country’s embassy.
Mudavadi issued a stern warning to Kenyans about traveling to conflict zones, highlighting the risks of entering volatile regions. “We would like to discourage Kenyans from traveling to countries experiencing conflict or turmoil. It is not a game out there,” he cautioned.
As the government continues to ensure the safe evacuation of its citizens, it remains vigilant about the evolving situation in the Middle East and is committed to bringing more Kenyans home.
