Govt Stunned as Mere 30 Kenyans Opt for Lebanon Evacuation

Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has disclosed that a considerable portion of Kenyans in Lebanon have not heeded the government's advice to register for evacuation.

Despite an estimated 26,000 Kenyans residing and working in the country, only about 7,000 had registered for the government's evacuation program by the October 11 deadline. The Commission on Administrative Justice (Ombudsman) reports that of those who registered, a mere 30 individuals have been successfully evacuated. This comes in the wake of a setback where five out of 35 Kenyans who had initially expressed willingness to participate in the government-facilitated evacuation program failed to appear, despite arrangements having been made for their air travel.

This trend has complicated the government's efforts to reassure citizens at home about the safety of their compatriots in Lebanon as the conflict continues to escalate. The Ombudsman reveals that as of October 11, 2024, the government had facilitated the return of 35 Kenyans. This information was disclosed following an inquiry initiated by the Commission to ascertain the status of Kenyans in Lebanon amidst the escalating regional conflict. The Commission expresses deep concern for the well-being of Kenyan citizens in Lebanon, emphasizing the growing risks to their lives and property, including restricted access to essential services and the potential for increased violence.

In response to these concerns, PS Njogu has outlined the government's evacuation plan which is being overseen by a Multi-Agency Committee. The plan includes the establishment of a registration portal for evacuation and emergency contact numbers for assistance. To expedite the evacuation process, the Department has deployed additional consular staff to support the Kenya Embassy in Kuwait and the Honorary Consulate in Beirut. Moreover, negotiations with the Lebanese government have resulted in the waiver of overstay penalties and exit clearance fees, which could have otherwise impeded swift evacuations.

The conflict in Lebanon is part of a broader regional instability, following more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The situation escalated dramatically on October 7 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostage-taking. The ensuing Israeli response has had devastating consequences for civilians in Lebanon, with the Lebanese government estimating that 1.2 million people have been displaced.