80 Kenyans airlifted home from South Africa in biggest evacuation yet
"The group included minors, priority cases and other vulnerable persons."
by BRIAN CHEGEMA
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Officials from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs address Kenyan returnees at JKIA after their evacuation from South Africa on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
The Kenyan government has evacuated 80 citizens from South Africa, marking the largest single group of Kenyans repatriated from the country since the exercise began.
The returnees arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night in an operation coordinated by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria. According to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the group included minors, priority cases and other vulnerable persons. The returnees were received by a multi-agency team led by officers from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. The government said the reception team conducted debriefing sessions and offered psychosocial support before reuniting the evacuees with their families."Last night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria, evacuated 80 Kenyans from South Africa," the department said in an update.
It added that "the multi-agency reception team... welcomed the returnees, conducted debriefing sessions and provided psychosocial support before reuniting them with their families."
The department further described the latest group as "the largest single group of Kenyans repatriated from South Africa since the exercise kicked off."The evacuation comes as Kenyan authorities continue efforts to assist citizens seeking to return home from South Africa under the ongoing repatriation programme. The operation follows recent concerns involving some Kenyans in South Africa, where authorities have been facilitating the return of citizens, particularly vulnerable individuals, through coordinated efforts involving the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and Kenya's mission in Pretoria. The latest evacuation underscores the government's continued support for Kenyans abroad requiring assistance, with officials ensuring the returnees receive immediate care upon arrival before being reunited with their families.
A State Department for Diaspora Affairs official verifies travel documents on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Some of the 80 Kenyans evacuated from South Africa listen attentively to government officials at JKIA on July 8, 2026/ State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Families, including children and other vulnerable returnees, wait to complete reception procedures at JKIA on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Government officials process and receive Kenyan nationals at JKIA on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Officials from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs address Kenyan nationals on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
A State Department for Diaspora Affairs official verifies travel documents on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Some of the 80 Kenyans evacuated from South Africa listen attentively to government officials at JKIA on July 8, 2026/ State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Families, including children and other vulnerable returnees, wait to complete reception procedures at JKIA on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Government officials process and receive Kenyan nationals at JKIA on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
Officials from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs address Kenyan nationals on July 8, 2026/State Department for Diaspora Affairs/X
