Kenya to evacuate Kenyans stuck in Sudan a head of Ruto's mediation trip
-
Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 19-04-2023, 08:43AM
NAIROBI, Kenya - Over 3,000 Kenyan citizens who are stuck in Sudan are set to be evacuated should the current situation in Khartoum escalate into a humanitarian crisis.
This is according to Kenya’s Principal Secretary for the State Department of Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu who has revealed that the government has set up a new emergency hotline +24 9900194854/ +2540114757002) to assist in reaching those stuck at the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
“We are committed to ensuring that all Kenyans are safely rescued and brought home should the situation warrant it,” Njogu.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has set up a multi-agency technical team, that is currently monitoring the situation and is preparing to support Kenyans in Sudan through humanitarian assistance and emergency evacuation if need be.
So far, at least 200 people have been killed as the conflict rages on and property of unknown value destroyed. No Kenyan casualty has yet been reported and the country’s ministry is advising Kenyans to continue staying indoors as they monitor the situation.
The evacuation might however not be possible now as several airlines have suspended flights to and from Sudan adding to the closure of the Khartoum International Airport.
“A number of things have to be in place for an evacuation to be done. For example, air space has to be open as we have to be able to move safely,” Njogu said.
This new move comes at a time when the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has agreed to send South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, Kenya’s William Ruto, and Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti to help broker a ceasefire in the conflict in Sudan.
Evacuating citizens will however be the last resort, as Kenya is working other channels to facilitate peaceful negotiations between the warring factions in Sudan.
GAROWE ONLINE
