The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has given Kenyans stranded in South Africa five days to register for evacuation, warning that the final repatriation flight will depart from Johannesburg on Thursday, July 9.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The emergency evacuation programme was launched after nationwide anti-migrant protests, immigration crackdowns and xenophobic attacks escalated, threatening the safety and livelihoods of foreign nationals.

In a notice shared with  Kenyans.co.ke , Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu urged Kenyans wishing to return home to immediately register with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.

Njogu said the High Commission will complete a vetting and processing exercise by Tuesday, July 7, ahead of the final evacuation flight.

📌 What You Need to Know

"Kenyans in South Africa are advised that the evacuation exercise will conclude on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with the final repatriation flight scheduled to depart from Johannesburg on that date," Njogu said.

She added that only those who have been registered, vetted and processed will be eligible to board the final flight.

The Kenya High Commission in Pretoria has been serving as a temporary refuge for affected citizens, with more than 240 Kenyans registering for emergency assistance, including food, temporary accommodation and travel processing.

Government data shows at least 30,000 Kenyans live and work in South Africa, most of them legally.

By Thursday, July 2, the government had airlifted 180 Kenyans, following a June 30 deadline issued by anti-immigration groups demanding that African foreign nationals leave the country.

The first group of 26 arrived on June 30 before additional flights brought home 48, 55 and other returnees.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke