Govt Announces Final Evacuation Flight for Kenyans in South Africa

The government has announced that it will carry out the final evacuation exercise for Kenyans wishing to leave South Africa.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Friday, July 3, the government urged all Kenyans who still require evacuation to register immediately with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.

“The Government of Kenya expresses sincere gratitude to the Kenyan community in South Africa, led by the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa (KEDASA) and its leadership, for maintaining peace, and cooperating with consular teams and local authorities during the evacuation,” read part of the sentence.

According to the ministry, the evacuation exercise will officially end after the final repatriation flight leaves Johannesburg on July 9.

Kenyans seeking evacuation are urged to report to the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria for vetting, and those who will successfully be vetted by the commission will have an opportunity to board the last flight.

All registered, vetted, and processed Kenyans are supposed to reach the mission by Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

“Therefore, those who require evacuation must register immediately with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria and present themselves at the Mission for vetting not later than Tuesday, 7th July 2026,” the department stated.

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Expulsion of Foreigners in South Africa, Driven by Anti-illegal Immigration Protests

The programme to expel foreigners was launched following a nationwide surge of anti-illegal immigration protests in South Africa by groups demanding stronger immigration controls and the deportation of illegal migrants.

The tensions have increased concern among migrant populations, with some African governments arranging voluntary repatriation programmes.

Uganda is one of several other countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, that have booked flights for their Nationals intending to leave South Africa.

The evacuation exercise has proceeded under the partnership of consular teams and KEDASA with the South African local authorities.

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Contact Details in Case of an Emergency

Contacts were provided for the State Department for Diaspora Affairs 24-hour Diaspora Call and Response Centre, Phone: +254 20 7876 000 or +254 11 4757 002 for call and WhatsApp, email-consular@diaspora.go.ke.

The Kenya High Commission in Pretoria was reachable on + 27 12 362 2249 for general queries or + 27 76 177 2675 for emergencies.

Email-consular@kenya.org.za. In case of emergencies, the South African Police Service was reachable on 10111.

The ministry will be closely observing the situation and is expected to issue further updates as necessary.

The evacuation exercise has proceeded under the partnership of consular teams and KEDASA with the South African local authorities.

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Nearly 300 Ghanaians have returned home from South Africa after rising fears of renewed xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant protests in the country. Credits PCS