BY TRACY KAVAI, nyaberakavai@gmail.com
The Kenyan government has set aside Ksh.100 million to assist in the evacuation of citizens currently residing in the Middle East, where escalating tensions are posing a growing risk.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi addressed the Senate on Wednesday, confirming that the government is committed to ensuring that no Kenyan is left stranded amid the ongoing insecurity between Israel and Lebanon. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating that “the government is keen to act” to help those in need.
With approximately 26,000 Kenyans living in the region, the Kenyan embassy in Kuwait has already registered around 1,500 citizens who require evacuation assistance.
Mudavadi reassured Senators that the government is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to respond to any further developments. “After the government reached out to the Kenyans in Lebanon, a number of them said they were comfortable there and would reach out to the government when the situation was unbearable,” Mudavadi informed the Senate.
The government’s strategy to assist citizens during humanitarian crises is at an advanced stage, but Mudavadi acknowledged that financial constraints are hindering smooth operations. Nevertheless, he stressed that the government’s priority remains the welfare of its citizens. “We are working every day to ensure that we handle individual cases in the best humanitarian way we can,” Mudavadi added, while also noting that some Kenyans prefer to remain in the region in the hope that the situation will stabilize.
Mudavadi highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Kenya’s diplomatic missions worldwide. “Our Kenyan embassies and missions remain steadfast in promoting, projecting, and protecting Kenya’s image and national interests,” he said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring that all Kenyans abroad are supported.