The Ministry of Foreign and diaspora affairs has called on Kenyans living in South Africa to comply with the country's laws as tensions continue to rise over xenophobic protests.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Thursday, July 2, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musaklia Mudavadi said complying with the laws of a host country was crucial in ensuring Kenyans' safety while the Kenyan government intensifies efforts to repatriate them to Kenya.

At the same time, Mudavadi encouraged Kenyans in South Africa to ensure that their immigration documents are valid as evacuation efforts are intensified.

"The Government of Kenya urges Kenyans in the Diaspora to respect the laws of the host countries and ensure their immigration status remains valid and up to date," the statement read in part.

📌 What You Need to Know

The appeal came as the government confirmed that it is undertaking a safe, orderly and timely evacuation of Kenyan nationals in distress from South Africa following widespread protests against foreigners in South Africa.

The protests began officially on June 30 after the timeline set by South Africans for every foreigner in the country to leave lapsed.

South Africans are protesting that the presence of foreigners, mostly from African countries, has rendered them jobless, as the foreigners have taken away their jobs.

The Kenyan government has, however, announced that it has launched a safe, orderly and timely evacuation programme for Kenyans trapped in South Africa and seeking to get back home.

According to the Ministry, 240 Kenyan nationals had registered with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria for assistance as of Thursday, July 2.

Of the 240 Kenyans, 151 have already been flown back to Kenya, including 86 who came to the country on Wednesday, July 1 . In comparison, another group of 55 Kenyans was expected to arrive in Nairobi later on Thursday.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke