The government is planning to evacuate Kenyans from Lebanon over security concerns, the office of Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has said.
In a press statement, the ministry said the government is monitoring the unfolding situation in Lebanon and stands ready to rapidly evacuate Kenyans wishing to leave the Middle East country.
It said an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is working round the dock to ensure the safety of the 26,599 Kenyans in Lebanon.
It added that the committee is liaising with Kenya's Mission in Kuwait, which is accredited to Lebanon, and other partners to execute an evacuation plan.
“The government is bound by the Constitution of Kenya and the rights and freedoms enshrined therein, including the freedom of movement. Therefore, all evacuations will be conducted strictly on a voluntary basis,” the ministry stated.
It further added that Kenyans in Lebanon wishing to be evacuated must urgently register through https itinyurl.com/me for timely information assistance.
It said they can also call our emergency numbers: +96590906719/496171175006/ +254114757002.
“The government reiterates that a ban on labour migration to Lebanon has been in place since September 2023 and urges Kenyans to refrain from travelling to Lebanon or defer any intended travel until the situation normalises,” ministry of Foreign and Diaspora affirmed.
It said the safety of Kenyans in diaspora remain a top government priority.
“The government assures Kenyans abroad that it will continue to help whenever concerns about safety and security arise.”
There are fears of a new conflict in Middle East which has seen countries get on standby to evacuate their nationals.
There are fears that Iran and Hezbollah may attack Israel in the coming days or weeks following last week’s assassination of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut by a suspected Israeli strike and Hamas terror group leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and has vowed to retaliate even though Israel has denied carrying out the deadly strike.