Government Seeks Ksh 400 Million to Evacuate Kenyans Stranded Abroad

The Kenyan government is seeking an additional KSh. 400 million to help bring back citizens who are stranded in dangerous regions, especially in the Middle East and areas affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The State Department requested Diaspora Affairs while the department appeared before a parliamentary committee. Officials said the extra funds are necessary to support emergency evacuation efforts for Kenyans facing serious challenges abroad.

If Parliament approves the request, the department’s budget will increase by Ksh. 717.8 million.

According to officials, ongoing conflicts in countries like Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have stretched the department’s resources. They explained that more Kenyans are now seeking help due to rising insecurity in these regions.

For example, the government is currently working to evacuate 15 Kenyans from Iran to Turkey, a process that has already cost a significant amount of money. Among those being rescued are five children, who are being given priority.

However, the department made it clear that not every Kenyan abroad can be brought back. Assistance is mainly given to the most vulnerable individuals, such as minors and those in serious distress.

Officials also noted that over 500,000 Kenyans live in the Middle East, making it impossible for the government to carry out a mass evacuation.

Members of Parliament raised concerns about how the beneficiaries are chosen and how the additional funds were calculated. Some lawmakers asked for greater transparency about the number of people being evacuated and the government’s role in conflict areas, such as Russia.

In response, the officials said some details, especially those involving negotiations in Russia, cannot be made public. They also revealed that measures have been put in place to stop more Kenyans from being recruited into conflicts abroad.

At the same time, some leaders warned the government against spending too much public money on repatriation. They suggested working with international organisations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to share costs.

The department further revealed that it has pending bills totaling Ksh. 206 million, including unpaid air travel expenses.

Despite these financial challenges, officials said they have responded to all reported distress cases and continue to work with foreign governments to assist Kenyans overseas.

They added that while the government issues travel advisories urging citizens to leave unsafe areas, only those in urgent need qualify for state-funded evacuation. Others are expected to cover their own travel costs.

The parliamentary committee is now expected to review the funding request amid growing concerns about the safety of Kenyans living in unstable regions.