Mudavadi noted that the Committee is liaising with Kenya’s Mission in Kuwait, which is accredited to Lebanon, and other partners to execute an evacuation plan.
The Kenyan government on Friday, August 9 revealed that it is monitoring the unfolding situation in Lebanon and is on standby to rapidly evacuate Kenyans wishing to leave the Middle East country.
In a statement, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi revealed that an Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is working round the clock to ensure the safety of the 26,599 Kenyans in Lebanon.
Mudavadi noted that the Committee is liaising with Kenya’s Mission in Kuwait, which is accredited to Lebanon, and other partners to execute an evacuation plan.
However, the country’s top diplomat assured that the evacuations would be carried out on a voluntary basis and that no Kenyan would be forced to leave against their will.
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi participating in the deliberations of the East African Community Ministerial meeting in Kiwengwa, Zanzibar, within the United Republic of Tanzania on July 6, 2024. /MUSALIA MUDAVADI
“The Government is bound by the Constitution of Kenya and the rights and freedoms enshrined therein, including the freedom of movement. Therefore, all evacuations will be conducted strictly on a voluntary basis,” stated Mudavadi in part.
“Kenyans in Lebanon wishing to be evacuated must urgently register through the following link for timely information and assistance: https://tinyurl.com/2m9nw4ww. They can also call our emergency numbers: +96590906719/ +96171175006/ +254114757002.”
Mudavadi reiterated the government’s stance regarding a ban on labour migration to Lebanon which has been in place since September 2023 and urged Kenyans to refrain from travelling to Lebanon or defer any intended travel until the situation normalizes.
“The safety of our Diaspora remains a top Government priority. The Government assures Kenyans abroad that it will continue to help whenever concerns about safety and security arise. Further information can be found on our website www.diaspora.go.ke and our social media channels,” added the Prime CS.
Security Situation in Lebanon
Due to recent military and political tensions, Lebanon is experiencing heightened instability and security concerns. The main issue involves clashes between the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and Israel.
Recently, Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel, which led to Israeli strikes on targets in Lebanon. These cross-border attacks have increased fears of a broader conflict, drawing international attention and concern.
Political tensions are also contributing to the unrest. Israel is dealing with both internal challenges and external threats, particularly from Iran, which has vowed retaliation for the killing of a Hamas leader. This geopolitical friction has heightened the risk of further military escalation in the region, making the situation precarious.
In response to these developments, many countries have issued travel warnings to their citizens, advising against travel to Lebanon due to safety concerns. The possibility of getting caught in the crossfire or facing other security risks is high, prompting governments to take precautionary measures.
