The Delegation of the European Union to Kenya has refuted the claims that some of the Kenyan citizens stranded in Ukraine were discriminated against across the borders while trying to seek refuge.
In a statement on Wednesday, the delegation said that instead, Kenyans who have arrived at the borders have been assisted and allowed to enter safely into the EU Member States: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
It said that the four EU Member States reacted immediately to the crisis, lifting or limiting restrictions to enter their territories.
The usual entry requirements have been waived. No visa, no vaccination, and even no passport is needed for entry.
The other EU Member States are preparing to host millions of refugees leaving Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.”
The Delegation added that between February 24 and 28, over 350,000 persons crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border, among them 7,721 Africans, including 88 Kenyans.
“Within the last four days more than 4150 people from 40 African countries were able to flee from the invasion into Slovakia. Likewise, Romania and Hungary have exempted third-party nationals from visa requirements for transit purposes, and those nevertheless seeking visas could obtain them at the border points. Romania has supported a large number of students, including 3000 Indian students, to pass through without restrictions.”
Furthermore, the Delegation has said that the EU regrets the incorrect media reporting on the ongoing issue that has repeatedly appeared in various Kenyan outlets and social media, and calls for careful verification of the facts.
“Given that in some cases deliberate disinformation is being spread, the EU Embassies present in Kenya are ready to provide accurate data.”
