Fraudsters Target Desperate Kenyans Seeking Lebanon Evacuation

The Kenyan government has issued a warning about scammers targeting its citizens stranded in Lebanon amidst the escalating conflict with Israel.

These corrupt individuals are exploiting the vulnerable by offering false promises of evacuation in exchange for fees. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has emphatically stated that legitimate government evacuation services are provided free of charge and has urged Kenyans to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities. The situation in Lebanon has deteriorated rapidly as Israeli airstrikes continue to bombard Beirut, causing significant destruction near the international airport and reportedly targeting areas associated with Hezbollah. In response, the Kenyan government has established a critical 11-day deadline, ending on October 12, for its citizens in Lebanon to register for evacuation.

This registration process is crucial for securing a place in the state-funded rescue operations. The plight of Kenyan nationals in Lebanon, many of whom are domestic workers, is particularly dire. Many Kenyans find themselves trapped without access to their passports which have been retained by their employers. The combination of ongoing hostilities and economic instability has rendered it nearly impossible for them to leave the country without government assistance. Concerns have been raised by the Ministry regarding the low number of registrations thus far. The Ministry has continued to stress the urgency of the situation, warning that failure to register by the deadline will result in missing out on vital evacuation efforts.

The gravity of the circumstances is further confirmed by distressing social media footage, including a video of a Kenyan woman named Brenda Muthoni pleading for help while trapped beneath the rubble. With approximately 26,599 Kenyans currently residing in Lebanon, primarily employed in domestic and hospitality sectors, the government's evacuation efforts are crucial. Many of these individuals initially travelled to Lebanon through an agreement with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, but the sudden outbreak of violence has left them reliant on government intervention for their safe return.

The Kenyan government has been actively facilitating the repatriation of its citizens, with Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu confirming that two groups have already been evacuated. The government remains committed to continuing these efforts until all those in need are safely home. However, it has been emphasized that only those who register will be eligible for evacuation. The volatile nature of the conflict has been exacerbated by the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut, leading to intensified hostilities and an increasingly dangerous environment for all residents, including the Kenyan diaspora.