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52 Kenyans in Afghanistan evacuated to UK, Kazakhstan - Foreign ministry

Twelve Kenyans who were working for private contractors in Afghanistan were evacuated to Birmingham in the UK.

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by SHARON MAOMBO

News19 August 2021 - 16:05
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In Summary


  • •Twelve Kenyans who were working for private contractors in Afghanistan were evacuated to Birmingham in the UK.
  • •Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo said another group of 40 was evacuated to Kazakhstanon Wednesday night.
Kenya's Foreign Affairs CS Rachell Omamo speaking at the Global Education Summit on July 29, 2021.

Fifty-two more Kenyans have been evacuated from Afghanistan following political unrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.

Twelve Kenyans who were working for private contractors in Afghanistan were evacuated to Birmingham in the UK.

Foreign Affairs CS Raychelle Omamo on Thursday said another group of 40 was evacuated to Kazakhstan on Wednesday night.

Omamo said the evacuation was enabled by the Kenyan Embassy in Beijing, China.

Earlier on Wednesday, three Kenyans were evacuated from Afghanistan and are expected back to the country today night at around 9 pm.

"Kenyan missions in the region continue to reach out to Kenyans employed in the security sector and others engaged by private companies who are yet to be evacuated by their employees," Omamo said.

She said three Kenyans are still holed up in Kabul hoping to be evacuated as the situation at Kabul airport continues to be a challenge.

"For those who wish to be evacuated , the Kenyan Missions will continue to reach out to the private companies to ensure the safety and welfare of the Kenyan nationals," Omamo said. 

The government had earlier said that there were about 12 Kenyans working for different international organizations in Afghanistan.

Omamo stated that through diplomatic channels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote to the concerned organizations with a clear request to evacuate stranded Kenyans as a matter of urgency.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs communicated to respective foreign Missions in Nairobi where the said organizations originate to urgently intervene to ensure evacuation of Kenyans to safety.

The Swedish Committee, Supreme Audit Office (World Bank) and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) all had two Kenyans each working for them. 

The International Rescue Committee, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Danish Committee for Aid to Afghanistan Refugees, MEDAIR, Handicap International (HI) and Intersos all had one Kenyan each working for them.

"The government has directed two other Kenyan Missions in Beijing and Tehran to urgently reach out to the host governments, foreign diplomatic missions, partners, and friends of Kenya for assistance in evacuating any stranded Kenyans to safety," Omamo said.


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