Kenya has completed the evacuation of 472 citizens from South Africa, bringing to an end an emergency repatriation operation launched in response to escalating anti-migrant protests across the country.
The final group of 50 returnees arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, July 9, where they were received by officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
The evacuation exercise, which began on June 30, was coordinated by Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs in collaboration with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria. Authorities provided transport, emergency travel documents and humanitarian assistance to Kenyans who requested to return home.
In a statement, the department confirmed that the arrival of the final group brought the total number of evacuated Kenyan nationals to 472, officially concluding the government’s repatriation programme.
The operation was launched after anti-migrant demonstrations intensified across several parts of South Africa, prompting growing concerns about the safety of foreign nationals, including Kenyan citizens. Hundreds of Kenyans registered for evacuation after the government appealed to those wishing to leave the country to come forward.
The unrest has been driven by growing public frustration over unemployment and economic hardship, with anti-immigration groups demanding stricter action against undocumented migrants.
The nationwide protests gained momentum after an informal June 30 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave South Africa. Demonstrations have been led by the March and March movement, founded by former radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, which has called for tighter border controls, mass deportations of undocumented migrants, and priority access to employment and public services for South African citizens.
The group has pledged to continue staging demonstrations every Thursday until its demands are addressed.
In recent days, protesters have reportedly conducted door-to-door searches in Johannesburg’s Alexandra township, identifying suspected undocumented migrants and handing them over to police. Similar demonstrations have also taken place in Soweto and other communities, heightening fears among migrant populations.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned vigilante actions, stressing that immigration laws should be enforced by state authorities rather than private groups or community organisations.
Kenya is among several African countries that have organised the voluntary return of citizens from South Africa in recent weeks. Governments including Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda and Malawi have also undertaken repatriation efforts amid concerns over the safety of their nationals as anti-migrant sentiment continues to rise.