400 Chinese Nationals to Leave Kenya over Fear of Contracting Covid-19 in Kenya

400 Chinese nationals living in Kenya have obtained court orders compelling the government to allow them to return to their country on June 16th.

Through their lawyer Isaac Okinyo, the Chinese citizens told the court that they fear contracting Covid-19 in Kenya and that the country’s health system could be overwhelmed if the pandemic goes full-blown.

They argued that their country has a superior healthcare system compared to Kenya, which gives them a chance to get better medication should they be infected with the virus.

“They have underlying conditions and others just don’t feel safe here. All the isolation centers are full, testing, and contact tracing is a big deal to the Kenyan government. Let them just go back home as they so wish,” said lawyer Okiya.

In a ruling, High Court Justice Weldon Korir granted the 400 Chinese nationals permission to leave the country, Saturday Nation reported. Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Wu Peng who has been recalled to Beijing is among the 400.

The 400 are now waiting for approval from the Foreign Affairs Ministry to exit the country, according to lawyer Okinyo. 

“We are still waiting for a response, although everything is ready and they are set to go any time,” Okinyo said.

A Chinese national who is among those who will be leaving the country told Saturday Nation that she no longer feels safe in Kenya.

“The other day, I went to a supermarket and people were literally running away from me. In most hospitals, even if you are just going for a normal check-up, they insist that all Chinese residents be tested for Covid-19,” she said.

In May, Kenya evacuated 165 of its citizens who were stranded in China amid the Covid-19 pandemic.