Kenya Issues Notices For Undocumented Kenyans In South Africa
The government would aid the repatriation of Kenyans living in South Africa between Saturday, June 27, and next Friday, according to a document granting citizens’ safe passage.
In a warning dated Friday, June 26, Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Elizabeth Choge, stated that the effort targets Kenyans with “irregular status” in the nation who require emergency travel permits.
“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.”
South Africa migrant tensions:
Kenya warns of safe passage for nationals amid unrest
Thousands of migrants flee South Africa over rising tensions
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Ramaphosa assures security as violence displaces migrants#CitizenWeekend pic.twitter.com/SKmlaeqJGZ— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 27, 2026
The High Commission also urged South African authorities to allow the concerned Kenyans to travel without interruption.
“Please grant them safe passage,” the notice stated.
The warning comes after at least 50 Kenyan nationals requested immediate government-assisted repatriation from South Africa in response to escalating anti-foreigner sentiment.
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.
Kenya Issues Notices For Undocumented Kenyans In South Africa
