More Kenyans Return Home Amid South Africa Unrest
The number of Kenyans brought back from South Africa has reached 240 following the arrival of another group of 60 citizens at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
The latest returnees landed late on Friday night as part of an ongoing government evacuation effort triggered by rising xenophobic violence. Many arrived with minimal belongings after leaving behind businesses, jobs, and family members built over years of living in the country.
Returnees shared heartbreaking stories of fear and loss. Simon Chege, who had lived in South Africa for 12 years, described how vigilante groups went house to house targeting foreigners regardless of their legal status. He left his South African wife and children behind, worried about their safety due to his surname. Another Kenyan, Martin Oduor, spoke of his daughters still in school there, highlighting the difficult family separations many are facing.
The violence escalated after anti-immigrant groups issued deadlines for undocumented foreigners to leave, leading to protests, looting, and attacks on foreign-owned properties in cities like Johannesburg and Durban. Several African nations, including Kenya, have stepped up repatriation flights to protect their citizens. Regional reports suggest over 25,000 foreigners have fled or been evacuated from South Africa in recent weeks.
The Kenyan government has indicated that the evacuation process will continue in phases until all willing citizens are safely returned. This latest wave of unrest has renewed concerns about xenophobia in South Africa, where some locals blame immigrants for economic challenges and crime. Affected families back home are calling for continued support as they help loved ones readjust to life in the country.
