Mudavadi: Sh100 million set aside to evacuate Kenyans stranded in Lebanon

The government has allocated Sh100 million for the evacuation of Kenyan citizens stranded in Lebanon amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi addressed the Senate on Wednesday, announcing the establishment of a coordinating committee within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to manage the evacuation efforts.

"The government of Kenya has set aside Sh100 million, and there is a committee in the Foreign Affairs Ministry working with security and other agencies to see how this Sh100 million can be utilised to assist in the evacuation of Kenyans in Lebanon," he said.

Currently, only 1,500 out of the approximately 26,000 Kenyans in Lebanon have registered for evacuation through the Kenyan embassy in Kuwait.

Mudavadi said the ministry has been actively encouraging those in distress to register, even before the recent escalation of conflict.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been sending out messages so that those who are in distress can register for evacuation even before the war escalated. This was ongoing, and we had received almost 1,500 who registered with the embassy indicating that they are in distress," he said.

In response to the unstable situation in Lebanon, the government has urged all Kenyans facing difficulties to register for evacuation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora has also advised those in high-risk areas to move to designated safe zones if possible.

To facilitate communication, the ministry has issued emergency hotline numbers for Kenyans living in Lebanon. Families with members in the region are encouraged to call +254114757002 for coordination.

On August 6, 2024, the government launched an urgent evacuation plan for its citizens in Lebanon, citing increasing tensions.

It has set a deadline for registration before the evacuation begins, instructing all Kenyans wishing to leave to register with the ministry by October 12, 2024.

"The deadline for registration is October 12, 2024. Any Kenyan who wishes to be evacuated must ensure that their registration is completed before this date. We continue to prioritise the safety of all Kenyan nationals currently residing in Lebanon amidst the escalating situation," stated the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Ministry.