The Kenyan government has repatriated 80 citizens from South Africa in the largest single evacuation since it launched a rescue operation to assist nationals affected by xenophobic attacks, anti-migrant protests and immigration crackdowns in parts of the country.
The returnees, who included minors, priority cases and other vulnerable persons, arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday night aboard the latest government-sponsored flight coordinated by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.
A multi-agency team led by officers from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs received the evacuees at the airport, where they underwent debriefing sessions and received psychosocial support before being reunited with their families.
In a statement on Thursday, the State Department described the latest operation as the biggest single repatriation flight since the evacuation programme began.
"Last night at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria, evacuated 80 Kenyans from South Africa," the statement said.
"the multi-agency reception team welcomed the returnees, conducted debriefing sessions and provided psychosocial support before reuniting them with their families," It added.
The department further noted that "the evacuees, who included minors, priority cases and other vulnerable persons, represent the largest single group of Kenyans repatriated from South Africa since the exercise kicked off."
The latest group brings the total number of Kenyans evacuated by the government to 291, up from the 211 who had already returned home during earlier phases of the operation.
The evacuation programme was launched after dozens of Kenyans sought assistance from the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria following reports of attacks, intimidation and growing hostility towards foreign nationals in parts of South Africa.
Before the latest flight, the government had repatriated several groups in phases. On June 30, flights brought home groups of 61, 26 and 17 Kenyans, followed by another 47 on July 1. A further 60 citizens arrived last week, with officials saying the operation was nearing its final stage.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, hundreds of Kenyans had registered for assistance, with the government facilitating temporary accommodation, meals, emergency travel documents, local transport and air tickets for those wishing to return home.
The evacuation exercise has been conducted in collaboration with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria, the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa and South African authorities.
Many of those returning have reported losing jobs, businesses and personal belongings during the unrest, highlighting the human cost of the violence and the urgency that prompted the government's intervention.