The Ministry of Foreign Affairs now says all Kenyan citizens in Ukraine are safe despite the Russian invasion continues.
Through its mission in Vienna, the government issued a cautionary advisory note to all Kenyans in Ukraine.
“So far all the Kenyans in Ukraine are reported to be safe. Some Kenyans however have been stuck at border points, particularly with Poland where because of visa restrictions they have not been able to cross over,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry stated that there are 183 Kenyan students in the country and a further eighteen permanent residents.
It pointed out that the government has “requested all the countries neighbouring Ukraine within the EU to allow Kenyans to transit through their borders should they wish to return home.”
The Ministry advised them to make an assessment as to their circumstances and either take necessary precaution or leave as they deem fit.
“Kenyans have been advised to make an assessment as to their circumstances and to take necessary precaution and /or make arrangements to leave as they deem fit in light of their own circumstances,” a part of the statement read.
Further, Kenyans have been encouraged to harbour there as they wait for the situation to settle down and or as they make their plans to come home.
This comes after Kwale Woman Representative Zulekha Hassan sought to know Government’s plans on how they will bring home Kenyans who have been caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to the MP, a number of Kenyans have been caught in the invasion, most of them from Ternopil National Medical University and other institutions and workplaces.
“These Kenyans are already facing movement challenges occasioned by closure of airports, and face the real possibility of inaccessibility to food supplies and communication platforms” Zulekha noted.
“In lieu of reparations, could the National Government consider relocating these citizens to safer regions within Ukraine or to more peaceful nations that neighbour Ukraine, as well as provide relief food and other supplies to them,” Zulekha said.
The MP went on to give 50 names of Kenyan students studying at Ternopil National Medical University in Kiev.
Early this year, there were 18 Kenyan students in Ukraine with permanent registration and 183 with temporary registration.