Kenyans Stranded Abroad to get Airlifted Back at their Own Cost

The Government through the Ministry of Transport has announced plans to evacuate Kenyans who were stranded abroad after countries barred movements to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

The transport ministry said the evacuation plan will include over 500 Kenyans who were stranded in China, the UK, and India but they will bear their own cost.

The plan which is set to kick off next week will see about 300 Kenyans evacuated from China and the remaining will be from India and the UK.

“Most Kenyans who were left stranded in India had traveled for medical treatment,” said Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau on Tuesday.

The PS said 18 Kenyans have lost their lives due to Covid-19 related complications with one still in a critical condition in Sweden.

“Families willing to bring home the bodies of their relatives will have to bear the costs or allow them to be cremated in a foreign land,” he said.

The national carrier, Kenya Airways will be in charge of evacuating the Kenyans back from foreign countries where the first plane is scheduled to leave Heathrow Airport UK on Tuesday next week while the one from China will arrive in Kenya on Friday the same week.

The cost for charter planes is however seen to be more expensive. KQ charges 96,538 shillings for Business class tickets with the economy going at 53, 915 shillings.

All the passengers have been asked to book the tickets earlier and ensure they get a clearance form from an accredited health facility to prove that they are free of Coronavirus.

“Passengers may undertake COVID-19 tests from any accredited laboratory and certification issued at least seven days before travel.”

When they arrive in Kenya, the passengers will be subjected to mandatory quarantine at a government-designated facility for a period of 14 to 28 days. They will also stay at the facilities at their own cost.