Gov’t Says it is Impractical to Evacuate Kenyans Stranded Abroad

The government says it is impractical to repatriate Kenyans stranded abroad amid the Covid-19 pandemic citing cost and logistical challenges.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau said the government cannot afford to charter planes to transport Kenyans wishing to return home.

PS Kamau, when appearing before Parliament’s Defense and Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, said the cost of hiring an aircraft is not the same as hiring a matatu.

He indicated that there are more than three million Kenyans abroad, noting that it is impossible to evacuate even one percent of them (30,000).

“We have 3 million Kenyans out there. If we were to evacuate just one percent, those are 30,000 people. Just imagine the logistics. Our planes will have to crisscross the globe. Just imagine bringing 30,000 people back. Do we even have the quarantine facilities?” posed Amb. Macharia.

“Those asking us to send planes should know that it is difficult. Some Kenyans are Hungary, some in China, others in Italy. That means planes will be hovering all over the world. Ndege sio matatu bwana (A plane is not a matatu).”

He added: “Mr Chairman, truthfully, evacuation is not a viable option. I am sorry.”

He further explained that countries that are evacuating their citizens including the US, UK, Germany, and Canada have asked them to foot the cost.

Kamau disclosed that the government asked an Emirates flight that recently flew to Nairobi from Dubai to carry some Kenyans but only 13 showed out of the 300 who had been pleading to be evacuated.

“The other day, an Emirates plane was coming to Nairobi and there were over 300 people shouting on social media, ‘evacuate us’, we are ready to pay. When the time came, only 13 agreed to pay. Only 13… I’d be the happiest person if there were people out there who would want to come back and pay for themselves.”