The government has ordered mass registration of Kenyans in the Middle East amid the ongoing war in Lebanon.
Speaking on October 17, Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) Musalia Mudavadi said the government is aware of the potential escalation of war in the region.
“The government is also aware of the potential for a larger conflict in the Middle East and has requested all Kenyan ambassadors in the region to conduct a swift registration exercise of Kenyans in their jurisdiction,” Mudavadi said.
Mudavadi said the initiative aims to ascertain the number of Kenyans in those countries.
He explained that many Kenyans who travel to the Middle East don’t go through regular channels and fail to register with the country’s nearest mission as required.
“This is one of the dilemmas; Kenyans go but they don’t indicate where they are going. They use their own channels, and sometimes we really have to fish for them to come forward,” he said.
Mudavadi requested members of the media to assist the government in locating Kenyans within the region.
Kenyans Cautioned Against Travelling to Certain Middle East Countries
Additionally, the government has cautioned Kenyans against traveling to countries currently experiencing conflict.
Mudavadi said Kenyans should not gamble with their lives by visiting such countries.
“We would also like to discourage Kenyans from traveling to countries that are experiencing this conflict or turmoil. They shouldn’t gamble; it is not a game out there,” Mudavadi said.
He also told the media to educate Kenyans about such conflicts, especially when it is public knowledge.
“If there is a conflict and we know it, you are educating Kenyans through your media outlets. They should be cautious and not make trips to these areas until the situation has completely calmed down because they could land in difficulty,” he said.
Also Read: Kenyans in Lebanon Given Evacuation Orders
Evacuation Commitee
The PCS reiterated that a committee has been established to monitor the ongoing evacuation of Kenyans from Lebanon.
According to Mudavadi, the National Treasury has committed Ksh100 million to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, said 35 Kenyans have been evacuated by the government, but there are others who have traveled using private means.
Also Read: Kenyans Warned Against Lebanon Evacuation Fraudsters
Kenyans Evacuated from Lebanon
Njogu said around 35 more Kenyans are expected to arrive in Kenya over the weekend, even as the government explores opportunities for larger evacuations.
“It is extremely expensive, and the options are now limited. It is not what it was in August when we started the evacuation; only one airline is flying, and it is expensive to move people,” she said.
Njogu also cautioned Kenyans against traveling to countries experiencing conflict and instability.She explained that the government opposes such moves since a lot of money is spent on evacuating them.
“It is not in the government’s interest for Kenyans to go to warzones because as soon as they land there, we have to do the hard work of evacuating them,” she said.
The PS said the government remains committed to the rights and welfare of Kenyans living abroad, including those in conflicted countries.
“That’s why we are issuing the advisory that they ought not to go to these places. We have had Kenyans arriving in Lebanon even as we are in the process of evacuation, so this is a caution to Kenyans,” she said.
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