The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has successfully facilitated the repatriation of a Kenyan toddler from Indonesia, reuniting him with his family in Nairobi after his mother was detained in the Southeast Asian country.
The child arrived safely at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) early Saturday morning, accompanied by Diaspora Affairs Officer Grace Akello.
He was received by a government team that included Felister Kebati, Shukri Sirat, and Florence Wangari.
Upon arrival, the officials, working alongside the Children’s Officer for Mathare Constituency and a representative from the Center for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), formally handed over the child to his grandmother in the presence of his aunt.
The Government of Kenya, through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and the Kenya Mission in Jakarta, covered the full cost of the repatriation to prevent the child from being placed under state care in Indonesia.
According to Indonesian law, infants must remain with their mothers for a stipulated period.
If no family member claims custody afterward, the child is transferred to a government-run children’s home.
Kenyan authorities intervened to ensure the minor’s welfare and immediate reunion with relatives back home.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, who has been personally following the case since it was reported, praised the swift coordination between Kenyan and Indonesian officials that made the rescue possible.
“This successful repatriation underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of Kenyans abroad, especially vulnerable children,” Njogu said in a statement.
She commended both state and non-state actors for their collaboration, noting that the operation was carried out professionally and with great care to safeguard the child’s well-being.
“The Embassy sincerely appreciates all those who were directly or indirectly involved in the planning and execution of the minor’s evacuation and his eventual handover to his grandmother,” the department said.
The repatriation highlights the Kenyan government’s growing focus on diaspora welfare, particularly in cases involving children and families in distress abroad.
