Kenyans Rescued From Lebanon Inside a Bus
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On November 7, 2024, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu shared a video of Kenyan citizens joyfully singing inside a bus after being rescued from the war-torn Lebanon.
This group of 43 Kenyans is set to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi on Friday. The evacuation efforts are part of a larger initiative by the Kenyan government to rescue its citizens from Lebanon, where tensions have been escalating due to conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah. The government's efforts have been ongoing since October 1, 2024, when they began planning the evacuation of thousands of Kenyans who had been caught in the crisis.
On November 6, 2024, another group of 21 Kenyans was received at JKIA, marking a continued effort to bring Kenyans home safely. Njogu expresses her gratitude to the multi-agency team working to protect the rights of Kenyans abroad and emphasizes the importance of registration for evacuation. The evacuation process has faced several challenges, including the initial reluctance of many Kenyans in Lebanon to register for evacuation as they believed the tensions would ease.
''This morning at 5:30 am we received another 21 evacuees from Lebanon at JKIA. They were happy and thanked the Government for its rescue efforts. Thank you colleagues across the multi-agency team for working with the SDDA to protect the rights of Kenyans abroad,'' the PS shared.
However, with the situation worsening, the government has urged all Kenyans in Lebanon to register for evacuation, as only registered individuals will be eligible. However, many Kenyans in Lebanon have not yet come forward despite repeated requests. According to Njogu, it is estimated that approximately 26,599 Kenyans are in Lebanon, many of whom came to work in domestic and hospitality jobs under an agreement with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
''We are deeply concerned that many have not yet come forward despite our repeated appeals. Time is running out, and only registered individuals will be eligible for evacuation,” Njogu emphasises.
On Tuesday evening, an Israeli strike hit a four-story apartment building in Barja, Lebanon, killing at least 30 people, including seven women and three children. The building was reportedly housing displaced individuals. The Israeli military claimed it had targeted "terror infrastructure" belonging to Hezbollah. Amid the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese government has reported additional strikes in the Bekaa Valley region, which resulted in dozens of casualties and damage to cultural heritage sites.
The escalating conflict has prompted the Kenyan government to accelerate the evacuation of its citizens from Lebanon, with more than 60 Kenyans already repatriated this week.
The Ruto government is at it again, lying. These are not Kenyan evacuees from war-torn Lebanon. These are students from the University of Lagos on their way to a conference in Maiduguri.