This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
On Thursday, May 7, 2020, a special flight from Mumbai brought home the first batch of Kenyans who had been stuck in India since March when the country was placed under lockdown due to coronavirus fears.
India is a popular destination for Kenyans seeking medical treatment, but the lockdown left many stranded after flights were cancelled. Kenya also suspended international flights, further restricting patients who were set to return to Nairobi.
Others had traveled to India for business, tourism, or to visit relatives, but were caught up in the lockdown.
The 232 passengers aboard the special flight, facilitated by Kenya Airways, arrived at JKIA and were received by Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
"At JKIA last night Hon Ababu Namwamba receiving a section of the 232 passengers from 6 cities in India aboard the special facilitated flight KQ205 from Mumbai. The sense of relief and joy for being back home was palpable," the Foreign Office tweeted.
The Kenyan Embassy in New Delhi had struck a deal with Kenya Airways to fly home Kenyans, but they were required to pay for their tickets and undergo mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
