Editor's Review

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has issued an update on plans to evacuate Kenyans from Lebanon.

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has disclosed that the government is monitoring the situation in Lebanon and is ready to evacuate Kenyans wishing to leave the nation.

In a statement on Friday, August 9, the department noted that a committee was working round the clock to ensure the Kenyans were safe.

"An Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is working round the clock to ensure the safety of the 26,599 Kenyans in Lebanon. The Committee is liaising with Kenya's Mission in Kuwait, which is accredited to Lebanon, and other partners to execute an evacuation plan," read part of the statement.

The department further maintained that it is bound by the Constitution and therefore all evacuations will be done on a voluntary basis.

It asked the Kenyans in Lebanon who wished to be evacuated to urgently register with the department.

Principal Secretary State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu.

"Kenyans in Lebanon wishing to be evacuated must urgently register through the following link for timely information and assistance: https://tinyurl.com/2m9nw4ww. They can also call our emergency numbers: +96590906719/ +96171175006/ +254114757002," the department stated.

At the same time, it reiterated that a ban on labour migration to Lebanon has been in place since September 2023 and urged Kenyans not to travel to the country or to postpone any planned travel until the situation there normalises.

The department assured Kenyans abroad of their safety and continued support in case of any emerging concerns.

"The safety of our diaspora remains a top government priority. The government assures Kenyans abroad that it will continue to help whenever concerns about safety and security arise," the department remarked.