MP seeks to know Government’s plans to repatriate Kenyans stranded in Ukraine
Member of Parliament (MP) has sought to know Government’s plans on how they will bring home Kenyans who have been caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Through a statement which was referred to the departmental Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations, Kwale Woman Representative Zulekha Hassan said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should state timelines the repatriation process will be undertaken.
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 says.
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.
On Thursday, the Ukraine ambassador to Kenya Andrii Pravednyk asked for international intervention to stop Russian aggression.
“Ukraine calls on the international community to act immediately. Only united and decisive actions can stop Vladimir Putin’s aggression against Ukraine,” Pravednyk said.
“What we are talking about is to stop Russia from making any international transactions, stop trading with them, stop buying their gas,” he said.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ukrainian embassy, Pravednyk faulted the Russian government for avoiding negotiations.
“How can we sit on the table with a country that is killing my compatriots, our relatives, friends?” he said.
“It is not Ukraine that started all this, it is the Russian federation.”
The ambassador said the current situation might affect ongoing relations between Ukraine and other countries.
For instance, Kenyan students who were in Ukraine on scholarship are being evacuated to an undisclosed location.
“Definitely it will have a negative impact on Kenyan students studying in Ukraine. Unfortunately, they will now have to leave,” he said.
However, he hoped that the Kenyan government will support Ukraine.
“When we win I am sure we will be happy to see more Kenyans coming to Ukraine to study,” he said.
Ukraine yesterday morning urged its citizens living in Russia to leave the country immediately amid growing fears of war.
Russian forces raided Ukraine in the early hours yesterday bombing several parts of the country in a move that has been condemned by many countries in the world.
The Ukrainian government has started moving people from the three regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Odessa to Kyiv.
Members of Parliament (MPs) have sought to know Government plans on how they will bring home Kenyans who have been caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Through a statement which was referred to the departmental Committee on Defense and Foreign Relations, Kwale Woman Representative Zulekha Hassan said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should state timelines the repatriation process will be undertaken.
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 says.
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.
On Thursday, the Ukraine ambassador to Kenya Andrii Pravednyk asked for international intervention to stop Russian aggression.
“Ukraine calls on the international community to act immediately. Only united and decisive actions can stop Vladimir Putin’s aggression against Ukraine,” Pravednyk said.
“What we are talking about is to stop Russia from making any international transactions, stop trading with them, stop buying their gas,” he said.
Speaking during a press conference at the Ukrainian embassy, Pravednyk faulted the Russian government for avoiding negotiations.
“How can we sit on the table with a country that is killing my compatriots, our relatives, friends?” he said.
“It is not Ukraine that started all this, it is the Russian federation.”
The ambassador said the current situation might affect ongoing relations between Ukraine and other countries.
For instance, Kenyan students who were in Ukraine on scholarship are being evacuated to an undisclosed location.
“Definitely it will have a negative impact on Kenyan students studying in Ukraine. Unfortunately, they will now have to leave,” he said.
However, he hoped that the Kenyan government will support Ukraine.
“When we win I am sure we will be happy to see more Kenyans coming to Ukraine to study,” he said.
On Thursday morning, Ukraine urged its citizens living in Russia to leave the country immediately amid growing fears of war.
Russian forces raided Ukraine in the early hours yesterday bombing several parts of the country in a move that has been condemned by many countries in the world.
The Ukrainian government has started moving people from the three regions of Donetsk, Luhansk and Odessa to Kyiv.
