The government has evacuated 80 more Kenyans from South Africa, bringing the total number of citizens returned home through the exercise to 422.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs said the latest group, which arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night, included minors, priority cases and other vulnerable persons.
The Department said the group represents the largest single number of Kenyans repatriated from South Africa since the evacuation exercise began.
“Last night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria, evacuated 80 Kenyans from South Africa. The returnees were received by a multi-agency team led by officers from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. The team conducted debriefing sessions and offered psychosocial support before the Kenyans were reunited with their families,” the Department said.
The evacuation follows rising concerns among foreign nationals in South Africa after demonstrators issued a June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country.
The government had announced that the final evacuation flight for Kenyans wishing to leave South Africa will depart from Johannesburg on July 9 as authorities move to complete the exercise.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Department asked Kenyans still seeking evacuation to register immediately with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria and complete vetting by Tuesday, July 7.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said only those who complete the registration, vetting and processing exercise will be allowed to board the final flight.
“The evacuation exercise will conclude on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with the final repatriation flight scheduled to depart from Johannesburg on this date,” the ministry said.
The latest evacuation came after renewed unrest in parts of South Africa, where foreign nationals have faced threats, intimidation and violence, raising fears of xenophobic attacks.
Data from the Ministry shows that about 27,000 Kenyans live in South Africa, with many working in business, healthcare, academia and other professional areas.
South Africa has experienced repeated cases of xenophobic violence over the past two decades, with foreign nationals often targeted over claims that they take jobs, contribute to crime and put pressure on public services. South African authorities have condemned such attacks.
Previous outbreaks in 2008, 2015 and 2019 led to deaths, injuries and displacement, with some businesses owned by foreign nationals looted and destroyed.
Researchers and rights groups have linked the violence to wider challenges such as unemployment, inequality and poor service delivery.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged Kenyans in the diaspora to respect the laws of their host countries and ensure their immigration status remains valid and up to date.
“Kenya expresses its appreciation to the Government of South Africa for its continued support. Kenya values its longstanding friendship and cooperation with the Republic of South Africa and remains committed to further strengthening this enduring partnership for the mutual benefit of our peoples,” he said.
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