Gov’t Issues Update After 29 Kenyans Are Rescued From Lebanon

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has disclosed that 29 Kenyans have been rescued from Lebanon.

In a statement on Saturday, October 19, the state department noted that the 29 arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 1:00 a.m. on Saturday.

"On Saturday, 19th October 2024, at 1am, a multi-agency team led by senior leadership from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs received 29 Kenyans, the 4th and 5th cohorts, at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport-JKIA, in Nairobi who were evacuated from Lebanon," read part of the statement.

The state department added that the rescued Kenyans received counselling services as they shared their stories about their experience in the Middle East country.

"The evacuees, in a first-contact counselling session with officials from the counselling unit of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, shared their experiences before and during the conflict currently ongoing in the region," the State Department for Diaspora Affairs remarked.

It affirmed that the government and other relevant stakeholders are continuing with the evacuation of Kenyans from Lebanon and stated that more Kenyans are expected in the country in the coming days.

On Thursday last week, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi disclosed that the government was exploring all options to ensure the safe evacuation of Kenyans in Lebanon.  

On October 4, the State Department of Diaspora Affairs warned Kenyans in Lebanon about fraudsters charging for evacuation services.

The state department clarified that the evacuation process is fully funded by the government and is being conducted at no cost to the affected individuals.