This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kenyan Senate is taking steps to ensure the safe return of its citizens stranded abroad. On May 21st, 2020, the Senate's COVID-19 committee, led by Senator Johnson Sakaja, requested a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the procedure for identifying Kenyans in need of evacuation.
The committee also asked the Ministry to outline how it would mobilize resources to facilitate the evacuation of stranded Kenyans. In a recommendation, the committee suggested that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs set a criterion for the eligibility of Kenyans in the diaspora who are in dire need of returning home but cannot afford air-tickets, giving priority to students.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously indicated that the government cannot afford to repatriate all Kenyans stranded abroad for free, citing fears of coronavirus spread. So far, reports reveal that Kenyans who have been evacuated from various countries, including the UK, India, and China, have paid for their own tickets in chartered flights organized by the government.
Senator Sakaja has hinted that it is possible to evacuate Kenyans stranded abroad for free if the government seeks support from emergency funds. Despite this, about 1000 Kenyans who could afford to pay for their flights have been brought home so far.
