Kenyans in South Africa have been given five days to register for the government’s final evacuation flight, with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs confirming that the last repatriation flight will leave Johannesburg on Thursday, July 9.
The government launched the emergency evacuation programme following a wave of anti-migrant protests, immigration crackdowns and xenophobic attacks that have left many foreign nationals fearing for their safety and struggling to earn a living.
In a notice issued on Saturday, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu urged Kenyans who wish to return home to immediately register with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria to secure a place on the final flight.
As per Njogu, the registration, verification, and processing of all individuals who want to be evacuated will be finalized by Tuesday, July 7.
“Kenyans in South Africa should note that the exercise of evacuating citizens will end on Thursday, July 9, 2026, and the last flight of repatriation of Kenyan nationals is set for that day from Johannesburg.”
She reiterated that only the Kenyans who have registered and undergone the verification process by the Government will be permitted to take the flight.
The High Commission of Kenya in Pretoria has been playing a significant role in ensuring that citizens are safely evacuated during this period. It has been providing temporary lodging and help to many Kenyans affected by violence. Over 240 Kenyans have sought the help of the High Commission since the incident.
Government records indicate that about 30,000 Kenyans live and work in South Africa, the majority of them legally.
Following the start of the evacuation process, the government has evacuated 180 Kenyans back to their homeland. The first batch of 26 people arrived in Nairobi on June 30 while another batch of 48, 55 and many more have since returned home.
The evictions followed threats made by the anti-immigration groups who set a June 30 deadline for all undocumented immigrants from Africa to vacate South Africa. This led to protests which eventually turned violent in several places.
The people who have returned to their homeland told their stories of fear, explaining how they ran away following break-ins in their homes, looting of their business and destruction of properties amidst the violence.
The people who had returned to Kenya also explained that some of them lost their jobs and investments following the attacks, and had come back without even their basic possessions.
The government is continuously encouraging the remaining Kenyans in South Africa to seek assistance from the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria or the 24-hour Diaspora Call and Response Centre.