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.”
Comments (10)
Macharia Kamau what have you done about Kenyans been kicked out of the apartments in China and all sorts of harassment? Some Mpigs are stranded in India.
The Chinese understand Covid-19 more than anyone else. They'll not evict anyone for lack of rent, not at this time.
@imkgoogo, what are you talking about. They evicted black people in Guangzhou.
The politicians who are stuck wherever (India, etc) can stay there and never return to Kenya. At least they are not running every where in the country talking nonsense! The government should stop paying them because they are not working.
MPigs can stay in India. It would even be better if they naturalized and be Indians.
Haha! Seriously they should consider that. It is better than flying in.
Mr Macharia, stop trying to confuse us by pretending that we are evacuating everybody in the Diaspora,so the problem can look big. Our brothers and sisters in China are facing hell. They need help and they need it now. Get moving; no excuses.
Evacuate only the Kenyans in China.
They are the only ones suffering and being rendered homeless at this time. They are the only ones who are not allowed to enter into restaurants, buses or trains.
Send Chinese back in equal numbers and bring our people back.
This is not rumors; we see them on videos begging for help, they are sleeping in the streets of China
Kenya must show effort in taking care of its citizens.
Where are our embassy representatives in China when we need them?
Mr Macharia, it is estimated that there are about 50,000 Chinese ( Moabites) living in Kenya. according to Wikipedia; If this is not occupation, what is it?
How many Kenyans are in China?
What are 50,000 Chinese doing in Kenya?
Is Kenya territory being occupied by the Chinese while they treat our fellow citizens like trash because they are black?
Kenyans wake up, " THE CHINESE WANT YOUR GOD GIVEN INHERITANCE (LAND) WITHOUT YOU IN IT
Wake up Kenyans and Africans!!
Anonymous oui, two wrongs don't make a right. We have Kenyans everywhere, in more than 100 countries. We can't kick Chinese out as vengeance for what they have done. Otherwise, we'll just be as evil as them.
It's a shame when a country boasts of its massive DIASPORA remittances but when a need arise "you are on your own",no plans to evacuate the same people supporting you!