Principal Secretary for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu has said a ban on labour migration to Lebanon has been in place for over a year, following warnings about unsafe working conditions and growing instability in the Middle Eastern country.
In a statement shared on Thursday, October 3, 2024, Njogu clarified that the Kenyan government had been advising against migration to Lebanon for some time, but some citizens continued to migrate, often against the official advisory.
“Kenya has had a migration ban to Lebanon for over a year now. Kenyans have chosen to migrate to Lebanon for work, against our advisory and often covertly,” Njogu stated.
Njogu emphasized that the Kenyan government does not actively send its citizens to work abroad, but rather, individuals apply for jobs and are recruited voluntarily.
“Labor migration is voluntary. GoK does not send people away – they apply for jobs and are recruited,” she stated.
1. You and I have never had a conversation about Lebanon.
— Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS 🇰🇪 (@roselinenjogu) October 3, 2024
2. Kenya has had a migration ban to Lebanon for over a year now.
3. Kenyans have chosen to migrate to Lebanon for work, against our advisory and often covertly
4. Labor migration is voluntary. GoK does not send people… https://t.co/uapnngHQ53
Njogu’s sentiments come amid rising concerns over the safety of Kenyan workers in the Middle East, who are now pleading for evacuation due to escalating violence.
Evacuation initiated
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs urged all Kenyans in Lebanon to register for immediate evacuation as the situation in the country worsens. The government expressed frustration that many Kenyans had disregarded earlier requests to sign up for evacuation, complicating their efforts.
“Following our previous statements and continued outreach, the Government of Kenya wishes to reaffirm that the security of Kenyans in Lebanon remains a top priority amidst the escalating situation. We are concerned that a significant number of Kenyans have not yet registered for evacuation,” part of the statement read.
The ministry stressed that only those who have officially registered will be considered for evacuation.
“For the safety and swift evacuation of our nationals, we urge all Kenyans in Lebanon to register immediately. Only those who have registered will be eligible for evacuation,” the statement added.
The Kenyan government has already managed to evacuate two groups of its citizens from the country and remains dedicated to ensuring the safe return of all who need assistance. They set a deadline of October 12, 2024, for registration and encouraged Kenyans to act swiftly.
Kenyans can register for evacuation through the link provided (https://www.diaspora.go.ke/lebanon.html) or reach out via the listed contact numbers: +96590906719, +96171175006, +254114757002. The government assured that it continues to collaborate with international partners and local authorities to secure safe passage and protect the well-being of the Kenyan diaspora.
Tension in Lebanon
The crisis in Lebanon worsened following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, sparking widespread political turmoil and intensifying violence in the region. Foreign workers, including Kenyans, are now caught in the middle of the chaos, facing increasing risks to their safety and security.
Iran vowed retaliation for the assassination, causing widespread concern across the Middle East.
On August 5, 2024, a Lebanon-aligned group attacked Israel, wounding two soldiers and starting a fire. Tensions trace back to October 2023, when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, leading to ongoing conflict and significant casualties in Gaza.
