The Kenyan government has announced that the ongoing evacuation of its citizens from South Africa will conclude next week, urging all Kenyans still seeking repatriation to register immediately for the final rescue flight.

In a statement issued by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs on Friday, July 3, 2026, the government said the last evacuation flight is scheduled to depart from Johannesburg on Thursday, July 9, 2026, marking the end of the emergency operation launched in response to escalating xenophobic violence in South Africa.

The government also expressed gratitude to the Kenyan community in South Africa, particularly the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa (KEDASA), for working closely with consular officials and local authorities throughout the evacuation exercise.

“The Government of Kenya expresses sincere gratitude to the Kenyan community in South Africa, led by the Kenya Diaspora Association in South Africa(KEDASA) and its leadership, for maintaining peace, and cooperating with consular teams and local authorities during the evacuation,” the statement read in part.

“In light of this, Kenyans in South Africa are advised that the evacuation exercise will conclude on Thursday, 9th July 2026 with the final repatriation flight scheduled to depart from Johannesburg on this date.”

The ministry called on Kenyans wishing to return home to complete the registration process with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria before the deadline.

“Therefore, those who require evacuation must register immediately with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria and present themselves at the Mission for vetting not later than Tuesday, 7th July 2026,” the statement said.

It added that only individuals who have been registered, vetted and processed will be allowed to board the final repatriation flight.

Officials said the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs will continue monitoring developments in South Africa even after the evacuation exercise comes to an end.

Hundreds already evacuated

The announcement comes days after the government confirmed significant progress in evacuating Kenyans caught up in the unrest.

On Thursday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi announced that 151 Kenyans had already been flown back to Nairobi, while another 55 citizens were expected to arrive on subsequent flights. As of July 2, a total of 240 Kenyans had registered with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria seeking government assistance.

The government said the evacuation programme has included transportation from different parts of South Africa to Johannesburg, emergency travel documentation, commercial flights to Kenya and humanitarian support for those in distress. Safe accommodation, food, essential supplies and psychosocial support have also been provided to vulnerable evacuees, including families with young children.

Before the operation began, Kenyan authorities issued temporary safe-passage arrangements to enable undocumented Kenyans to travel to the High Commission in Pretoria and obtain emergency travel documents without fear of immigration-related complications.

Evacuation follows xenophobic unrest

The evacuation was triggered by a fresh wave of anti-foreigner protests and xenophobic attacks that have swept parts of South Africa over recent weeks.

The unrest escalated ahead of nationwide demonstrations on June 30, 2026, during which anti-immigration groups demanded that undocumented foreign nationals leave the country. The violence has resulted in deaths, injuries and the displacement of thousands of migrants from several African countries, prompting multiple governments to organise evacuation efforts for their citizens.

Many foreign nationals reported being assaulted, threatened or forced to flee their homes and businesses as anti-migrant sentiment intensified in several South African cities. Authorities in South Africa have increased police deployments and condemned acts of violence while continuing immigration enforcement operations.

Throughout the crisis, Kenyan authorities repeatedly advised citizens in South Africa to avoid protest areas, remain indoors where possible, carry valid identification, and stay in close contact with the Kenya High Commission in Pretoria.