Kenyans in Lebanon Slow to Register for Evacuation Despite Growing Crisis

The Kenyan government has renewed its call for nationals in Lebanon to register for evacuation as the conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants intensifies.

Despite the escalating situation, the Department of Diaspora Affairs reported on October 2 that it had received few evacuation applications. This low response comes even as some Kenyans in Lebanon have appealed to the media for assistance, claiming their employers have locked them inside while fleeing the conflict. For the past two weeks, Lebanon has been under heavy bombardment from Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah militants. The Kenyan government had previously warned its citizens about the potential for conflict to spread from Gaza to Lebanon. However, the response from Kenyans in Lebanon has been slow. The government has set an October 12 deadline for registration, after which unregistered individuals will not be eligible for evacuation.

The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly, with commercial flights becoming limited and security conditions worsening. Although Nairobi had not initially planned for an evacuation, it decided to take action as the situation in Beirut deteriorated. The government has emphasized that only registered individuals will be eligible for evacuation. Kenyans in Lebanon can register through the Department of Diaspora Affairs' website or contact provided phone numbers for assistance. The conflict escalated dramatically when Israeli forces killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Saturday, prompting a retaliatory rocket attack from Iran on Israel. Israel has vowed to respond to the attack, further heightening tensions in the region.

The Kenyan government has already successfully evacuated two groups of its nationals from Lebanon and remains committed to continuing these efforts until all citizens in need are safely evacuated. In interviews with Nation.Africa, some Kenyan domestic workers in Lebanon express frustration over the lack of action despite having filled out repatriation forms since June. They describe the harsh conditions of living in a war zone, with constant bombings and gunfire. These workers feel abandoned as other countries evacuate their citizens, and they continue to plead for their government to intervene and assist them.

The Department of Diaspora Affairs has reiterated the importance of registration, noting its crucial role in coordinating evacuation efforts. Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu states that the government is deeply concerned about the large number of Kenyans who have not yet registered. She emphasizes that evacuation is a voluntary process and that the government cannot force anyone to leave. However, she stressed the importance of knowing who is in the affected areas to ensure their safety.

The Kenyan government has been proactive in its efforts to evacuate its citizens, but the lack of registration remains a significant obstacle. With the registration deadline approaching, the government has warned that it cannot guarantee safe evacuation after this date due to the volatile nature of the situation. The government continues to urge all Kenyans in Lebanon to register immediately to ensure their safety and timely evacuation.