26 Kenyans repatriated from South Africa as 200 more request evacuation

At least 26 Kenyans have been repatriated from South Africa, with 64 more expected to arrive later on Tuesday and Wednesday as the government steps up efforts to evacuate citizens amid rising anti-migrant tensions in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday, Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said the government had already received the first group of returnees and was coordinating the arrival of more Kenyans.

The PS said the government had received requests from about 200 Kenyans seeking evacuation since issuing a public call for those wishing to return home.

"We have received 26 Kenyans this morning from South Africa and we are expecting 64 more later in the day and more tomorrow," said Njogu.

"Since we issued a call, we have received about 200 people wanting to come back.”

PS Njogu revealed that nearly 100 Kenyans are currently taking shelter at Kenya's High Commission in Pretoria as authorities continue to monitor the situation.

Despite the evacuation requests, the PS said the number represents only a small fraction of the thousands of the Kenyan community living and working in South Africa.

"The 200 who have called be evacuated is a small number of more than 27,000 working and living in South Africa," she said.

Njogu further noted that most Kenyans in South Africa have complied with the country's laws and regulations, adding that Kenya has engaged the South African government to support its citizens during the ongoing evacuations.

She thus commended the South African government for measures taken to restore order, saying Kenyan authorities remain in close contact with the country's diplomatic mission.

"Majority of Kenyans in South Africa are compliant with the regulations. We have reached out to the government of South Africa to help us even as we evacuate," she said.

"The South African government has done a lot to ensure people stay off the streets but we are constantly speaking to our high commission."

The development follows similar calls by majority of African nations to repatriate their citizens from South Africa following the anti-immigrant unrest and violence.

Officers have since been deployed to prevent violence and looting by the xenophobic groups, while hundreds of foreign nationals have taken refuge in several cities, urgently seeking help to leave.

Thousands more have already fled the country with at least two Mozambicans, an Ethiopian and a Malawian killed in anti-immigrant violence over recent weeks.

Several African governments have organised planes or buses to repatriate their citizens.