The Government of Kenya is closely monitoring as events unfold in Afghanistan. This follows the takeover of the capital city Kabul, by the Taliban on 15th, August 2021 with the government insisting that the safety of Kenyans is of utmost importance.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Kenya has no diplomatic presence in Afghanistan nor accreditation to Afghanistan.
“Nevertheless, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Kenya High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan which is the nearest Mission to Afghanistan has reached out to our allies to get information of any Kenyans stranded in Afghanistan and prospects of evacuation,” read the statement.
It further said that the Kenyan Government has established that there were about 12 Kenyans working for different international organizations in Afghanistan.
“Through diplomatic channels the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote to the concerned organizations with a clear request to evacuate stranded Kenyans as a matter of urgency. Further, the Ministry communicated to respective Foreign Missions in Nairobi where the said organizations originate to urgently intervene to ensure evacuation of Kenyans to safety,” read the statement.
It said that Kenyans worked for the following organizations: Swedish Committee, Supreme Audit Office (World Bank), International Rescue Committee, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), Danish Committee for Aid to Afghanistan Refugees, Action Contre la Faim (ACF) and Handicap International (HI) and Intersos.
“As of Thursday, 19th August 2021, three Kenyans have been evacuated. One working for the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) arrived back to Kenya on Wednesday, while two working for Action Contre la Faim (ACF) have been evacuated. They are expected back home tonight at around 9pm,” read the statement.
Similarly, the Government has directed two other Kenyan Missions in Beijing and Tehran to urgently reach out to the host governments, foreign diplomatic missions, partners, and friends of Kenya for assistance in evacuating any stranded Kenyans to safety.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
