Kenyans in Lebanon Given 11 Days to Register for Evacuation
The Kenyan government has issued an urgent call to its citizens stranded in Lebanon, giving them an 11-day deadline to register for evacuation. With rising tensions from the ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has set October 12 as the last date for Kenyans to secure a spot in the rescue efforts.
The Ministry expressed grave concern over the low number of registrations, despite repeated appeals for immediate action. Most of the Kenyans in Lebanon, largely domestic workers, are caught in the escalating violence, many unable to flee due to their employers withholding passports. The deteriorating situation has left them vulnerable, with many trapped in dangerous conditions.
One of the most heart-wrenching accounts comes from Brenda Muthoni, a Kenyan woman stranded under the rubble of a collapsed building. In a viral video, Muthoni pleads for help, saying her employer fled to Switzerland, abandoning her in the warzone. “Explosions are everywhere. My boss left me behind,” Muthoni’s voice trembles as she recounts the horror.
Her ordeal reflects the dire circumstances faced by many Kenyans in Lebanon. Numerous reports indicate that employers have fled, leaving workers locked inside homes or unable to access their passports, making it impossible to escape. The situation continues to worsen as the conflict spreads to areas where many Kenyan workers reside.
Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, urged all Kenyans in Lebanon to register for evacuation immediately. “The window for evacuation is closing. We cannot emphasize enough how critical it is to register before October 12,” she warned. The Ministry has successfully evacuated two groups of Kenyans and remains committed to ensuring no one is left behind.
Kenya’s non-resident Ambassador to Lebanon, Halima Mohamud, assured that communication channels remain open with those stranded in Lebanon. She confirmed that no Kenyan casualties had been reported thus far.
With over 26,000 Kenyans in Lebanon, many employed in the domestic and hospitality sectors, the outbreak of violence has left them reliant on government assistance. Registration, which can be done online, is their only hope for a safe return home.
The Ministry has provided an online platform for registration and emergency contact numbers, urging immediate action before the deadline: +96590906719, +96171175006, +254114757002.
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Kenyans in Lebanon Given 11 Days to Register for Evacuation
