Inside the Operation That Brought Kenyans Home From South Africa

Hundreds of Kenyan nationals have returned home under a government-led evacuation programme after facing threats and attacks in South Africa. 

By last weekend, 266 people had arrived in Nairobi, with one final repatriation flight from Johannesburg scheduled later this week. The evacuation follows reports of increasing hostility towards foreign nationals in parts of South Africa. Since late June, Kenyans have described incidents including mob attacks, intimidation and the destruction of homes and businesses.

Among those evacuated is Anthony Waweru, a bus driver who fled after his house was set on fire. Speaking after arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), he said he had spent about two weeks in hiding before leaving the country.

The repatriation programme is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs together with the Kenyan Diaspora in South Africa (Kedasa), a community organisation representing about 12,000 members. Kenyans seeking evacuation are required to register with the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria before they are included in the process.

The evacuation begins with registration through Kedasa, which forwards cases to the embassy and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. Evacuees are then taken to Pretoria, where they are provided with accommodation, meals and assistance with travel documents before boarding flights to Nairobi. 

On arrival at JKIA, they take part in debriefing sessions and receive counselling to help them cope with the emotional impact of their experiences. Businesswoman Ruth Wambui, who returned with her two children, said she was forced to leave behind her business after her home was destroyed by fire. 

She said she had hoped the situation would improve before deciding to leave and praised the support provided by the Kenyan embassy and Kedasa throughout the evacuation. Kedasa chair Bernard Maina said the organisation worked closely with government officials to manage the operation. 

He said Kenyan nationals had avoided being placed in refugee camps and commended High Commissioner Jane Ndurumo and Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu for their leadership during the process. Many of those who have returned say they remain deeply affected by their experiences. 

Waweru said he would not return to South Africa because he no longer felt safe. Mike Mwita said he believed more Kenyans would eventually be forced to leave, adding that attackers did not distinguish between people with legal immigration documents and those without them.

The evacuation also involved discussions with South African authorities. Kedasa secretary-general William Thageya said Kenyans without valid immigration documents, but with no criminal record, had been allowed to leave the country without facing detention or court proceedings. The embassy also provided financial support to help people travel from remote areas to evacuation centres.

The government's response has been welcomed by many of those involved in the operation, who said it helped citizens return home safely and with dignity. However, the events have also highlighted the continuing risks faced by migrant communities in South Africa, where anti-immigrant sentiment continues to affect some low-income areas.

As the final evacuation flight prepares to leave Johannesburg, many returnees are focused on rebuilding their lives in Kenya. Some have expressed hope that further support will be available to help them settle back into their communities.

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