A group of 43 Kenyan evacuees from Lebanon has embarked on their journey back to Nairobi.
The group headed to Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, where they commenced their trip to Nairobi, with their arrival expected at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Friday morning.
“The 43 Kenyans are expected at the JKIA on Friday morning.” Department of Diaspora Affairs highlighted on X.
In a video posted by the State Department of Diaspora Affairs on X, the evacuees seemed to be rejoicing and singing happily for their return home.
The group was evacuated from Lebanon due to the escalation of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese armed movement Hezbollah, coupled with Iran’s missile attack on Israel.
The situation has raised fears of a wider war in the region, prompting many countries to urge their citizens to leave Lebanon for their safety.
The volatile circumstances and increased risk of violence have led to a coordinated effort by various nations to ensure the safe return of their nationals.
At least 40 people were killed in Israeli air strikes in eastern Lebanon on Wednesday, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The Israeli military said the strikes, in the governorates of Baalbek and Bekaa, hit operatives and infrastructure of the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah.
Lebanon’s culture minister said one of the strikes seriously damaged an Ottoman-era building in the vicinity of the Roman ruins in the city of Baalbek, which is a Unesco World Heritage site.
Strikes also hit the southern suburbs of Beirut on Wednesday, after the Israeli military issued new evacuation warnings. The military said it struck Hezbollah command centres, weapons stores and other infrastructure.
