472 Kenyans return home as South Africa evacuation ends amid anti-migrant violence

A total of 472 Kenyans have been evacuated from South Africa after the final batch of 50 returnees arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, July 9, marking the end of the government's emergency repatriation exercise launched following escalating anti-migrant violence.

The latest arrivals were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, bringing to a close a repatriation operation that began on June 30 to assist Kenyans caught up in the unrest.

The exercise was coordinated through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria, which facilitated transport, travel documentation and humanitarian support for those seeking to return home.

"Last evening, 50 Kenyans arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), bringing the total number evacuated so far to 472," the Department said.

The government launched the evacuation after anti-migrant protests intensified across parts of South Africa, leaving many Kenyans fearing for their safety.

Hundreds of citizens responded to the government's call to register for evacuation, with authorities scheduling a final repatriation flight from Johannesburg on July 9.

The protests, which have spread across several parts of South Africa, have seen groups of anti-immigration activists march through communities demanding the removal of undocumented migrants.

The evacuation followed weeks of escalating anti-migrant protests in South Africa, where rising unemployment and economic hardship have fuelled anti-immigrant sentiment.

The nationwide demonstrations, which began on June 30 after an informal deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country, have been led by the March and March movement founded by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.

Ngobese-Zuma has vowed that the group will stage protests every Thursday until its demands are met, including tighter border controls, mass deportations of undocumented migrants and priority access to jobs and public services for South African citizens.

In recent days, groups of protesters have gone door-to-door in Johannesburg's Alexandra township searching for suspected undocumented migrants and handing them over to police, while similar marches have taken place in Soweto, deepening fears among foreign nationals.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned vigilante action, saying immigration laws should be enforced by the state rather than private groups.