Sh100M set for Kenyans’ evacuation from war-torn Lebanon
The government has set aside up to Kes100 million to evacuate an estimated 26,000 Kenyans caught up in the raging war in Lebanon. In the last one year, the Middle Eastern country has been experiencing heightened attacks as Israeli forces intensify attacks in their push to flush out Hezbollah fighters in the suburbs of the nation’s capital Beirut.
Speaking to the Senate, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who is also in-charge of Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said his office will ensure no Kenyan is left stranded in Lebanon.
“I informed the Senators that a number of them [Kenyans in Lebanon] had said they were comfortable there and would reach out to the government when the situation was unbearable,” a statement from Mudavadi’s office stated in part.
He added that an estimated 1,500 Kenyans have already reached out to Kenya’s Embassy in Kuwait seeking a range of services including evacuation from the war torn country.
Additionally, Mudavadi noted that the government is designing a plan to assist Kenyans caught up in countries experiencing humanitarian crises such as Lebanon.
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Hezbollah positions
Since late September, Lebanon has come under increased attacks from Israeli forces targeting Hezbollah positions. The attacks have increasingly destroyed neighbourhoods, leading to loss of lives. However, no Kenyan has been injured or missing in the spiraling crisis.
According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Health, the death toll from Israeli bombings has increased to 1,323, with another 3,700 people nursing various injuries since September 23, 2024.
Continued bombing of the country’s capital Beirut is an escalation of a year-long war between Israel, Hezbollah, and Gaza-based Hamas militant group. This war has already claimed the lives of an estimated 42,000 people, mainly women and children since October 7 attack on Israel triggered an all-out war.
