Gov't seeks extra Ksh.400M to repatriate Kenyans stranded in Russia, Middle East

The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has asked Parliament for an extra Ksh.400 million to help evacuate Kenyans stranded in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East and those caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Officials, led by Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Secretary of Diaspora Welfare and Partnerships, told the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs that the funds are needed to support urgent rescue efforts for vulnerable citizens abroad. 

If approved, the allocation in the Supplementary Estimates will raise the department’s budget from Ksh.717.8 million by an additional Ksh.400 million.

Amb. Gichuhi explained that ongoing crises in countries such as Russia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have increased pressure on the department’s limited resources. 

“We are currently evacuating 15 Kenyans from Iran to Turkey, which has already incurred significant costs. Among them were five children, who are being prioritised under our repatriation guidelines," Gichuhi noted.

The department clarified that not all Kenyans abroad can be brought back, noting that assistance is reserved for the most vulnerable, including minors and those in distress.

With more than 500,000 Kenyans living in the Middle East, officials said a blanket evacuation would not be practical.

Members of Parliament questioned how the beneficiaries are selected and how the additional funding was calculated. 

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari asked for more details on evacuation numbers and the government’s involvement in Russia, describing the issue as a matter of national importance.

“Regarding the request for Ksh.400 million, what criteria is used to identify beneficiaries, and how were these figures arrived at?” Wangari posed.

In response, officials stated that some negotiations in Russia remain confidential but confirmed that steps have been taken to stop more Kenyans from being recruited into the conflict.

Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan cautioned against committing unlimited public funds to repatriation, urging the government to work with international organisations like International Organization for Migration (IOM) to share the burden.

“It is not sustainable to repatriate all citizens in distress abroad. There must be shared responsibility, including working with international organisations such as the IOM,” he stated. 

The department also disclosed that it is struggling with pending bills totaling Ksh.206 million, including Ksh.131.9 million for air travel, most of which remains unpaid.

Despite these challenges, officials said they have responded to all reported distress cases and continue to engage with foreign governments to support Kenyans abroad. 

They added that while advisories are issued for citizens to leave risky areas, government-funded evacuations are only available to those in urgent need, with others expected to cater for their own return.

The committee, led by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, is expected to deliberate on the State department's funding request amid growing pressure to safeguard Kenyans caught in volatile regions abroad.