Hundreds of Kenyans Stranded in Lebanon After Beirut Explosion Hold a Protest Demanding to be Repatriated

Hundreds of Kenyans who are stranded in Lebanese capital, Beirut following the deadly August 4th explosions on Thursday held a protest demanding to be repatriated.

The group is lamenting exploitation and mistreatment by Kenya's Lebanese-run consulate in Beirut and wants the government to quickly facilitate their return home.

Many said they lost almost everything and cannot afford to buy a flight ticket to Nairobi for Sh40,000 as the country’s currency is virtually worthless.

The Kenyan embassy in Kuwait, which is accredited to Lebanon, said the process of issuing Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) to Kenyans stuck in the Middle East nation is underway.

The Embassy on Friday said the process is being delayed by Kenyans camping outside the Beirut consulate following the blast that killed over 170 people, injured 6,000 and rendered more than 300,000 people homeless.

Efforts by security agents to restore order and allow seamless activities has been unsuccessful, the embassy added.

“The police have therefore asked the honorary consul and his officers to stay away for security reasons,” the embassy said.

So far, only 43 Kenyans have been issued with the certificate and the Kenyan embassy has urged those affected to cooperate and provide the required information to expedite the repatriation process. The consulate is working with some NGOs to provide essential needs such as shelter and food.

The blasts were as a result of a fire that ignited about 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate stored at Beirut’s port.