Kenyans Stuck in India Appeal to the Government to Evacuate Them

Dozens of Kenyans who are currently stranded in India have appealed to the government to help them return home.

The group is unable to travel back to the country after the government suspended passenger flights to and from India for two weeks following a surge in COVID-19 infections and deaths in the Asian nation.

Among those stuck in India is Edward Ochieng and his father, who traveled there in February for medical treatment.

Ochieng told Citizen TV that they are struggling to stay afloat after spending nearly all the money they had.

His dad was scheduled to undergo brain surgery to remove a tumor but this is yet to happen as his thyroid level has been unpredictable.

“We expected ashughulikiwe kwa haraka lakini unfortunately it did not happen, ameshinda kwa medication for one full month, kwa sababu thyroid yake iko juu. So far amefanyiwa almost 32 tests, za blood, X-rays na CT scans,” said Edward.

The two were forced to rent an apartment after India stopped admitting patients due to the COVID-19 situation.

“The cheapest room ni 1800 or 2000 rupees per day…na kupata pia ni ngumu because we’re not the only people here, kuna Warwanda, Waganda, Watanzania…alafu hujaweka chakula pia, ju hakuna chakula ya maana ambayo mgonjwa atakula ingawa arejeshe damu amechukuliwa,” he added.

Ochieng says there are at least 40 Kenyans stranded in India based on a WhatsApp group he created. Officials at the Kenyan embassy in India asked them to be patient.

“Wametuambia tujipatie moyo there is a communication between the ambassador na (Health CS) Kagwe, na pia nahofia kupoteza kazi yangu juu nilipatiwa off ya one month kuleta mzee matibabu,” he said.

Medics at Max Special Hospital in Delhi said his father can only undergo the surgery after medicated treatment for about five months to avoid complications.