XENOPHOBIA UPDATE: Kenya To Evacuate Citizens in South Africa

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Amina Mohamed, said on Friday, April 17 in Nairobi, that Kenya will evacuate its nationals from South Africa as xenophobic violence increases.

She said that though there are no Kenyan casualties in the uproar in South Africa, government is planning to evacuate those it can get hold of.

Mohamed said the evacuation has become necessary because of the fear that the attacks may spread across the country.

According to her, this measure will be taken after a new spate of violence has left at least five people killed in the eastern port city of Durban.

Some foreign-owned shops in Johannesburg's downtown area have reportedly shut this week amid fears, with the police maintaining a heavy presence in the city.

Mohamed said some Kenyans living in the affected regions, mostly business people, have moved to temporary camps provided for victims, but not in large numbers.

She said the Kenyan Mission in South Africa is ready to offer assistance to any Kenyan national who may be adversely affected.

“Kenya's official figures show some 450 Kenyans are in Durban, mostly in the city centre,’’ she said.