The government through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has given an update on evacuating Kenyans living in Lebanon.
In a statement on Sunday, August 11, 2024, Principal Secretary Njogu called on the Kenyans who feel threatened by the recent developments in Lebanon to call for assistance.
“For Kenyans living in Lebanon, kindly reach out to us through the following numbers: +96590906719, +96171175006 and 254114757002,” the statement read in part.
The update comes after the state called on Kenyans with kin in Lebanon to report their details for the purposes of coordinating their evacuation as the situation in Lebanon escalates.
“We are appealing to those who can move to safer areas within Lebanon and those able to leave the country to do so. For Kenyans with family members in Lebanon, kindly call +254114757002 number provided for ease of safety coordination or visit our offices at the Old Mutual Building, Ground floor along Upper Hill Road,” the state said in a statement on August 6, 2024.
Tension in Lebanon
The calls to remove Kenyans from the volatile country come after Israel killed Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran promised retaliation for the assassination, leading to panic across the Middle East, with countries urging their citizens to leave the countries before the situation could escalate.
“We are also requesting Kenyans in the Diaspora to help convey this information to as many people as possible especially our brothers and sisters in Lebanon. For further updates and assistance, stay tuned to our social media pages. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs would like to assure Kenyans in the Diaspora that your safety is our top priority,” the Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has reiterated that the help in moving Kenyans to safety would be on a voluntary basis.
“The Government is bound by the Constitution of Kenya and the rights and freedoms enshrined therein, including the freedom of movement. Therefore, all evacuations will be conducted strictly on a voluntary basis,” the Ministry noted.
On Monday, August 5, 2024, a Lebanon-allied group is said to have conducted an attack in Israel which resulted in the wounding of two soldiers and set a fire.
The tensions began in October 2023 when a faction of the militant Hamas group attacked Israel and killed at least 1200 individuals, taking more than 250 hostages.
A sustained attack by Israel would see Gaza overrun, leading to the deaths of more than 39,ooo Palestinians according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
