Kenyans repatriated from South Africa said they lost jobs, witnessed attacks on foreigners and abandoned their livelihoods as anti-migrant protests escalated.
They also expressed gratitude to the Kenyan government and the country's mission in Pretoria for facilitating their return home.
The returnees, speaking after arriving in Kenya, said they received assistance from the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria throughout the repatriation process, including documentation, accommodation and transport arrangements.
Bailan Wambogo, who had lived in South Africa for several years, said he was relieved to be back in Kenya.
"My name is Wambogo, and I'm happy to be home. I've been in SA for quite some time, and I thank God that he has brought us back home safely. So, I also want to thank our government; since all this started, they've helped us get back home nicely," he said.
Wambogo said the Kenyan mission helped citizens travel safely to the embassy from different provinces by issuing documents to facilitate their movement.
"Everyone, every province, from every province, they issued soft copy letters to give us the passage to let us get to the embassy safely. The repatriation process has been a success because of the high commission office at Pretoria.”
Describing the situation in South Africa, Wambogo said he believed foreigners had been targeted during the unrest.
"SA is such a nice country. I'd not say anything that's not good about it, you know what I mean?"
He also appealed to investors to consider investing in Kenya.
"And I tell all the investors to come to Kenya; we have the Gen Z spirit, we don't know about racism. And we're looking forward to working together as a team."
"So I call upon investors in South Africa; we have very big millionaires, let them come invest here, they will create job opportunities for our youth."
Wambogo said the protests had affected many people, claiming some had lost jobs, and businesses had been destroyed.
"I've been affected because I have had to leave my job. I don’t want to disclose too much, but let me say our government has done a good job."
Another returnee, Anthony Gathura, said he had moved to South Africa last year hoping for better opportunities but was disappointed by his experience.
"I came to South Africa last year. I thought my life would be good. But I learned that I used to live in Johannesburg. But in the end, I ended up just like a slave."
Gathura thanked the Kenyan government for its support during the repatriation while noting there had been challenges.
"I thank God, and I thank the government."
Ali Sambul, another Kenyan who returned from South Africa, also thanked God, fellow Kenyans and the Kenyan Embassy. He said he had lost his job after spending about two and a half years in the country.
"First of all, I thank God. Secondly, I thank our Kenyans. Thirdly, I thank God. We've been through a lot, but I thank God for everything because we are back safely."
According to Kenya's Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, the government began repatriating stranded citizens after receiving requests for assistance from more than 200 Kenyans affected by the unrest.
The government said the operation was coordinated through the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria, which facilitated travel documentation, transport and safe passage for those returning home.
