A group of 39 Kenyan citizens has been successfully evacuated from Lebanon, arriving safely in Kenya on Friday under the leadership of Margaret Wamoto.
The returnees received a warm welcome at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where representatives from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs joined family members and friends in greeting them. This homecoming represents a significant accomplishment in the government’s ongoing initiatives to protect and support Kenyans abroad during difficult circumstances. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs highlights the operation’s success, noting that the safe return of these 39 citizens demonstrates the government’s dedication to its overseas population.
Throughout the evacuation process, the department provided crucial support and guidance, ensuring a smooth transition for the returnees. This evacuation is part of a comprehensive strategy to assist Kenyan nationals throughout the Middle East. To facilitate their reintegration, the returnees will benefit from established social programs designed to ease their transition back into their local communities. Looking forward, the Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting citizens abroad through diplomatic channels and agency cooperation.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs also emphasizes its focus on strengthening international partnerships to enhance the security and welfare of Kenyans worldwide. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified its military operations in Lebanon, conducting its deepest incursion into southern territory since operations began in October. Israeli forces advanced to Chama village, approximately 61 miles from Beirut, where they reportedly destroyed a significant Shiite pilgrimage site, the shrine of Saint Peter (Shimon Al-Safa). The incident was documented through verified footage showing smoke rising from the complex.
The escalation continues with sustained strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, particularly the Dayiyeh region, a known Hezbollah stronghold, where three areas sustained significant structural damage. The Israeli military maintains these operations target Hezbollah’s infrastructure, asserting the group operates among civilian populations. Amid the intensifying conflict, a new US-Israeli ceasefire proposal has been presented to the Lebanese government, with expectations of an official response by Monday, though the impact of recent military escalations on these negotiations remains uncertain.
