The Ministry of Foreign and diaspora affairs has called on Kenyans living in South Africa to comply with the country’s laws as tensions continue to rise over xenophobic protests.
In a statement on Thursday, July 2, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musaklia Mudavadi said complying with the laws of a host country was crucial in ensuring Kenyans’ safety while the Kenyan government intensifies efforts to repatriate them to Kenya.
At the same time, Mudavadi encouraged Kenyans in South Africa to ensure that their immigration documents are valid as evacuation efforts are intensified.
“The Government of Kenya urges Kenyans in the Diaspora to respect the laws of the host countries and ensure their immigration status remains valid and up to date,” the statement read in part.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi speaks during the inaugural Joint Commission for Cooperation between Kenya and Morocco, April 9, 2026.
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CS Julius Migos Ogamba
The appeal came as the government confirmed that it is undertaking a safe, orderly and timely evacuation of Kenyan nationals in distress from South Africa following widespread protests against foreigners in South Africa.
The protests began officially on June 30 after the timeline set by South Africans for every foreigner in the country to leave lapsed.
South Africans are protesting that the presence of foreigners, mostly from African countries, has rendered them jobless, as the foreigners have taken away their jobs.
The Kenyan government has, however, announced that it has launched a safe, orderly and timely evacuation programme for Kenyans trapped in South Africa and seeking to get back home.
According to the Ministry, 240 Kenyan nationals had registered with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria for assistance as of Thursday, July 2.
Of the 240 Kenyans, 151 have already been flown back to Kenya, including 86 who came to the country on Wednesday, July 1. In comparison, another group of 55 Kenyans was expected to arrive in Nairobi later on Thursday.
“As of July 2 2026, a total of 240 Kenyan nationals requiring assistance have registered with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria. The Mission is providing temporary safe havens, including hotel accommodation, food and other essential relief supplies, as well as specialised support for vulnerable persons, including infants,” the statement said.
Adding that, “In total, 151 people have been flown back home. On June 30 2026, three groups arrived in Nairobi aboard Kenya Airways, including 61 persons at 5:00 PM, 26 at 6:00 PM, and 17 persons at 10:00 PM. On July 1 2026, a further 47 persons arrived at 10:00 PM. Another group of 55 Kenyans is expected to arrive today at 5:05 PM,” it added.
The statement further reveals that those evacuated have been provided with necessary support, including ground transportation within South Africa and flights to Nairobi.
Other supports are emergency travel documents, hotel accommodation, food and other humanitarian assistance. Special arrangements have also been made for vulnerable groups, including infants.
On Wednesday, July 1, the PCS confirmed he had a telephone conversation with South Africa’s minister for international relations and cooperation, who assured Kenya that the South African government was taking the necessary measures to protect Kenyan citizens and other foreign nationals from harm.
Despite the rising tensions, the ministry noted that the majority of the estimated 27,000 Kenyans living in South Africa continue to reside and work in the country, the ministry confirmed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in Nairobi.
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Nation
