Gov’t Confirms Repatriation Program For 86 Kenyans From South Africa
The government has verified the effective repatriation of 26 Kenyans from South Africa, amidst rising xenophobic attacks on foreign citizens.
Speaking on the ongoing operation, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu said the first batch has already been cleared for evacuation.
Njogu insisted that additional groups are anticipated to return as the government continues coordinating rescue efforts.
According to Njogu, another group of 63 Kenyans is due to arrive later on Tuesday, June 30, with more evacuees returning to Kenya on Wednesday.
“So far, since we issued a call to the Kenyan diaspora living in South Africa who would like to be evacuated, we have received slightly over 200 registrations,” she said.
Kenya receives 26 evacuees from xenophobia attacks in South Africa; over 200 sheltering at the High Commission in Pretoria pic.twitter.com/wYZdVAHLev— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 30, 2026
According to the PS, around 100 Kenyans are currently seeking asylum at the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria due to fears of violence.
She noted that officials at the mission were providing sanctuary, shelter and support services to affected Kenyans as the government works closely with South African authorities to guarantee their safety before departure.
“Our team at the Kenya High Commission is extending services to them and offering sanctuary and shelter,” Njogu stated.
“We are coordinating with the South African government to ensure the safety of Kenyans who have sought shelter there and to ensure they move safely to the airport before evacuation.”
We have today evacuated 86 Kenyan nationals from The Republic of South Africa, fleeing the xenophobic attacks on African migrants by certain groups in South Africa. Our commitment always is to protect the rights and welfare of Kenyans in the diaspora.
Welcome home, Wakenya… https://t.co/oa6N36EftO pic.twitter.com/JZFXzknsrn— Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS 🇰🇪 (@roselinenjogu) June 30, 2026
The evacuation comes just three days after Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Elizabeth Choge, issued a notice stating that several Kenyans had irregular immigration status.
Choge directed them to visit the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria between June 27 and July 3 to obtain emergency travel documents for repatriation back home.
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The notice followed reports that at least 50 Kenyans had formally sought urgent government-assisted repatriation amid rising anti-foreigner tensions in parts of South Africa.
However, authorities noted that those requesting evacuation represent only a small fraction of the more than 27,000 Kenyans living and working in the country.
Later today, PS Njogu described the attacks targeting foreign nationals as unfortunate.
She confirmed that the Kenyan government remained committed to protecting its citizens abroad and facilitating the safe return of those seeking evacuation.
“Sadly, we are witnessing this kind of attack facing communities from other parts of the continent, especially for Kenyans who are asking the government to protect them and bring them home,” she added.
The evacuations come amid renewed concerns over xenophobic violence in parts of South Africa, which has in the past affected foreign nationals, including migrants and workers from other African countries.
Gov’t Confirms Repatriation Program For 86 Kenyans From South Africa
