Kenya begins repatriation of its citizens escaping from South Africa
Kenya begins repatriation of its citizens escaping from South Africa
The government will facilitate the repatriation of Kenyans living in South Africa between Saturday, June 27, and next Friday, according to a notice granting safe passage to citizens.
In the notice dated Friday, June 26, Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Elizabeth Choge, said the exercise targets Kenyans with “irregular status” in the country who require emergency travel documents.
“This is to notify you that several Kenyans from various parts of South Africa will be travelling to the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria between 27th June and 3rd July 2026,” Choge said.
She added, “Kindly note that some of these Kenyans have irregular status in South Africa and are hence proceeding to the High Commission in Pretoria to obtain travel documents to facilitate their repatriation back home by the Government of Kenya.”
The High Commission also appealed to South African authorities to allow the affected Kenyans to travel without interference. “Please grant them safe passage,” the notice stated.
The notice comes after at least 50 Kenyan nationals officially sought urgent government-assisted repatriation from South Africa following rising anti-foreigner tensions.
The affected Kenyans say they have been displaced from their homes, while others report their businesses and property were looted, vandalised or destroyed during attacks.
Several anti-immigrant groups have also issued ultimatums demanding that foreign nationals leave parts of South Africa by June 30.
Others say they have lost their jobs as protests and boycotts targeting foreign workers spread across several communities.
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The Kenyan government estimates that about 27,000 Kenyans live in South Africa on a long-term basis.
However, the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria and the Kenyan Diaspora in South Africa (KEDASA) estimate the total population at about 40,000 when students, researchers and short-term business travellers are included.
When attacks on foreigners in South Africa began to escalate, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu directed officials to fast-track emergency travel documents for Kenyans who lost their passports and other identification documents during the attacks.
The High Commission was also directed to establish temporary safe houses for displaced Kenyans awaiting repatriation flights.
Kenya has joined several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in organising government-assisted evacuations for citizens affected by the unrest.
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