Reprieve for Kenyans in Juba as government kicks off evacuation

Bashir Mohamed with his 16-days-old son Abdi Rahman Mohamed when Kenyans living in South Sudan arrived at the Jomo Kenyatta Airport International ,Nairobi. (Photo:Elvis Ogina/Standard)

The Government has rolled out rescue operations to evacuate Kenyans stuck in war-torn Juba, South Sudan.

Foreign affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Monica Juma said more than 2,000 Kenyans have registered with the Kenyan embassy in Juba.

"We have dispatched chartered flights to Juba to bring home all Kenyans. Upon arriving they will undergo trauma counseling and medical checkup before they are facilitated to their homes," Ms Juma said.

The PS said the first batch of 104 people, mostly women and children have arrived aboard a Kenya Airways flight. One-hundred Kenyans were expected Saturday afternoon. Registration centres have been set up to register all Kenyans in Juba before evacuation.

Kenya Red Cross Society has also set up registration centres at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport terminal two.

"A team from KRCS and Emergency Plus Medical Services (E-Plus) has been activated to offer support to the evacuation mission," said Venant Ndighila, Emergency Operations and Security Manager.

KRCS has also placed two ambulances from E-Plus to handle any causalities and paramedic have boarded a flight to Juba to offer medical support.

Kenya Red Cross has set up desks to help families and friends trace their loved ones with the hotline: +254 715 820 219.

Ms Juma said they are engaging with the South Sudan government to stop the fighting and ensure peace has returned in the region.

"We are in constant talk with the South Sudan officials from both sides. We are also monitoring the situation to ensure normalcy returns," the PS said.

Special programme PS Josepheta Mukobe said they will provide humanitarian and transport to ensure victims reach their destination.