Kenya Evacuates Citizens from South Africa Amid Rising Xenophobic Attacks
The Kenyan government has evacuated 151 citizens from South Africa following escalating anti-migrant unrest and intimidation targeting foreign nationals.
The returnees arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday evening, with many citing fears for their safety as violence and hostility against migrants continue to intensify in parts of South Africa. Several of those evacuated also reported losing their jobs and businesses due to the unrest.
In a related development, an additional 55 Kenyans have also returned home after fleeing the wave of xenophobic attacks, bringing the total number of returnees to more than 200.
The evacuations come amid growing protests and attacks directed at foreign nationals, with the Kenyan government stepping up repatriation efforts to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad. Authorities have indicated that more Kenyans are expected to return in the coming days as the situation remains tense.
At the same time, the government has urged Kenyans still living in South Africa to remain calm, obey local laws, and ensure they possess valid immigration documents as tensions continue to rise.
The latest developments have renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic violence in South Africa, which has in the past targeted migrants from several African countries.
