Kenyan Ministry Seeks to Improve Data Collection Amid Efforts to Evacuate Nationals from Lebanon
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has admitted that it lacks accurate data on the number of Kenyans living abroad, particularly in Lebanon, amidst ongoing efforts to assist nationals affected by the conflict between Israeli forces and the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah.
This revelation came during a meeting between the Committee on Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers and Ministry officials, who were discussing the safety and welfare of Kenyan migrant workers and students in Lebanon.
According to a report presented by Roseline Njogu, the Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, an estimated 26,599 Kenyans are currently residing and working in Lebanon. However, only 7,119 of them have officially registered with the Kenyan government, leaving the whereabouts of the remaining nationals unknown. The Ministry has been urging Kenyans in the diaspora to register their details with the nearest Kenyan mission to improve the accuracy of these records.
“We are aware that many Kenyans in Lebanon have not yet registered, and this makes it difficult to track their safety and offer timely assistance,” said Ms. Njogu.
The Ministry is currently undertaking evacuation efforts to repatriate those wishing to return to Kenya. According to Ms. Njogu, an evacuation team on the ground is conducting verification and clearance for those looking to return. So far, 167 Kenyans have been repatriated, with an additional 257 expected to be flown back in the coming week.
To facilitate the evacuation, Lebanese authorities, in coordination with Kenya’s honorary consulate in Beirut and the Embassy in Kuwait, have been assisting in the clearance process.
However, the Ministry’s efforts are hindered by a lack of resources, as noted by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who attended the meeting. He called on the Committee to enact legislation that would allow the Ministry to collect more comprehensive data on Kenyans abroad to ensure the safety and welfare of nationals in times of crisis.
“The absence of accurate data on our nationals abroad has made it challenging to provide the necessary assistance, particularly in times of conflict. We need legislation that will allow us to collect personal information to ensure we can protect and assist our citizens when needed,” said Mudavadi.
The Committee, led by Hon. Lydia Haika, expressed concern over the lack of registration by Kenyans in the diaspora and underscored the need for the Ministry to ramp up awareness campaigns. The Committee emphasized that all Kenyans abroad should take the initiative to register with the nearest Kenyan diplomatic mission to facilitate future assistance and evacuation efforts.
As the security situation in Lebanon remains tense, the Kenyan government is committed to ensuring the safety of its nationals and improving the accuracy of its diaspora data to better respond in times of need.
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