The State Department for Diaspora Affairs is seeking an extra KSh 400 million from Parliament to evacuate Kenyans stranded in conflict-hit countries.
Officials led by Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi told MPs the funds are urgently needed to support rescue operations, especially in the Middle East and regions affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.
If approved, the allocation will increase the department’s budget from KSh 717.8 million.
Gichuhi said ongoing crises in Iran, Russia and the United Arab Emirates have stretched available resources.
“We are currently evacuating 15 Kenyans from Iran to Turkey, including five children,” she said.
The department said evacuations are limited to vulnerable cases such as minors and distressed individuals, noting that not all Kenyans abroad can be brought back.
With over 500,000 Kenyans living in the Middle East, officials said a full evacuation is not possible.
MPs raised concerns over how beneficiaries are selected and how the KSh 400 million figure was reached. Gilgil MP Martha Wangari asked for a clear breakdown.
“What criteria is being used, and how were these figures arrived at?” she asked.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan warned that the government cannot handle the burden alone and should work with partners like the International Organization for Migration.
The department also revealed pending bills of KSh 206 million, including KSh 131.9 million in unpaid air travel costs.
Officials said they are continuing to assist distressed Kenyans and engage foreign governments, but added that state-funded evacuations will remain limited to urgent cases.
The committee chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech will now review the request.
