Kenyans living in the United Kingdom were yesterday placed on high alert following the escalation of violence targeting migrant communities.

The government at the same time moved to evacuate Kenyans living in Lebanon after the war in the Middle East appeared to get out of hand, with Iran declaring a “severe” retaliation against Israel following the death of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran last week.

Haniyeh was in Tehran for Masoud Pezeshikan’s inauguration as Iran’s new president.

Yesterday, the Kenyan mission in London issued an advisory to its citizens in the UK to exercise caution and adhere to local government directives amid a wave of social unrest sweeping across multiple cities, mainly targeting immigrants and Muslims.

Remain vigilant ‘

“The Kenya High Commission is closely monitoring the series of social unrest developing in a number of cities across the UK. We wish to encourage Kenyans living in the UK and Northern Island to remain vigilant and follow guidance provided by the local authorities,” read the notice.

The Kenya High Commission also issued emergency contact and links to help Kenyans caught up in the deadly wave of violence to seek help.

Kenyans can contact the High Commission through [email protected] or [email protected], or call +442076362371.

Alternatively, they can register with the commission’s website https://www.kenyahighcom.org.uk/citizen-registration for citizens or https://www.kenyahighcom.org.uk/student-registration for students.

Violence first broke out in the UK weeks ago after three girls—identified as Alice Dasilva Aguiar (nine), Elsie Dot Stancombe (seven) and Bebe King (six) were stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-themed summer holiday camp in Southport in northern England.

After the northern English town held a peaceful vigil to mourn, a group of far-right agitators ran riot in scenes that have been repeated for a week. Those joining the riots have chanted against and attacked migrants, Muslims and non-White Britons.

Mosques have been vandalised. Rioters have thrown bricks into the homes belonging to ethnic minorities and smashed the windscreens of their cars. A Syrian supermarket in Belfast was set alight. Hotels housing asylum seekers have been surrounded by furious crowds, some of whom have made deadly threats; a masked man was filmed making a slit-throat gesture.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs also issued emergency evacuation contacts and urged Kenyans to leave Lebanon immediately and move to safer grounds following the heightened tension in the Middle East.

“We are appealing to those who can move to safer areas within Lebanon and those able to leave the country to do so,” read part of the statement by the state department.

Seeking evacuation

The ministry also asked Kenyans seeking evacuation to register urgently through +96590906719 or +96171175006 or +254114757002. Alternatively, they can fill an evacuation form provided by visiting an attached link.

Kenyans with family members in Lebanon were also asked to call +254114757002 or visit the State Department for Diaspora Office at the Old Mutual Building, Ground Floor along Upper Hill road.

“We are also requesting Kenyans in the Diaspora to help convey this information to as many people as possible especially our brothers and sisters in Lebanon,” the ministry further noted.

Middle East countries including Lebanon host many Kenyans seeking work outside the continent.
The International Labour Organisation reports that in 2021, Kenya sent almost 3,233 new, skilled workers to Lebanon, a considerable rise from the 851 workers that arrived in 2019.

In October, another set of 1,500 Kenyans left the country to take up jobs in Lebanon following a deal between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce Industry and other agencies.

The majority of Kenyans who migrate abroad do so in search of employment; these individuals are primarily women who work domestically.