PS Njogu explains why hundreds of Kenyans remain in South Africa despite xenophobic attacks
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 15, 2026Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has explained why thousands of Kenyans remain in South Africa despite the recent wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Njogu said the attacks were confined to specific areas and mainly targeted small-scale business owners and informal traders rather than all foreigners across the country.
She noted that Kenyans working as professionals or corporate executives were largely unaffected, while those operating small businesses such as shops, car washes, and informal kiosks bore the brunt of the violence.
“The attacks were not happening everywhere in South Africa. They had a socio-economic angle to them. If you are a senior executive, you may not be targeted, but if you run a car wash, a shop, or a small business, those are the people who are being targeted,” Njogu said.
The PS revealed that 477 Kenyans have so far been successfully evacuated from South Africa and returned home safely following the government’s intervention.
Govt plans for returnees
She said the government’s focus has now shifted to helping the returnees rebuild their lives through collaboration with the State Department for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), noting that many of those evacuated were entrepreneurs who lost their livelihoods.
“So far, 477 Kenyans are back home. The question now is how we support them to get back on their feet. We are engaging the State Department for MSMEs because many of them are entrepreneurs, and we want to help them rebuild their businesses,” she said.
Njogu described the evacuation exercise as successful despite the unfortunate circumstances, adding that it had reassured Kenyans abroad that the government would come to their aid whenever they were in distress.
Pretoria government involvement
She disclosed that the Kenyan High Commission in Pretoria temporarily accommodated those seeking assistance, provided them with light meals, and worked closely with South African authorities to regularise their immigration status before facilitating their return to Kenya.
According to the PS, the arrangement ensured that the evacuees were not arrested, fined, or prosecuted for overstaying their visas while the evacuation process was underway.