Nairobi: The Kenyan Government is in consultation with the Thai Government to reopen its border crossing on humanitarian grounds to enable the 64 Kenyans who were rescued from a scam in Myanmar to be repatriated back to Kenya. The 64 Kenyans, along with individuals from over 30 other nationalities, are part of a group of over 7,000 foreigners who were rescued by two armed groups, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BDF). They are currently waiting at the Thai-Myanmar border to cross into Thailand for onward repatriation to their home countries.
According to Kenya News Agency, a press statement from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs noted that since the first wave of 260 foreigners, including 23 Kenyans, were handed over to the Royal Thai Army by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army on February 12, 2025, the Thai authorities have not reopened the border crossing. ‘The Kenyan Ambassador in Thailand has remained in touch on a daily basis with the Kenyans to apprise them on efforts by the government to bring them home safely,’ the statement said. It further added that the government is exploring other alternative routes to bring Kenyans home.
The statement also highlighted that the situation in the makeshift military camps in Karen State, where the rescued nationals are being held, remains dire due to a lack of access to medical facilities, clean water, electricity, and sanitation. The Ministry confirmed that the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, which is leading a multi-agency team in collaboration with the Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok and HAART Kenya, has finalized logistical arrangements to return the Kenyans home.
The government reiterated its commitment to extract its nationals from difficult circumstances, with previous efforts witnessed in Libya, South Sudan, Lebanon, Myanmar, and Israel, among others, in line with its fundamental duty to protect the rights and welfare of Kenyans. Citizens are advised to verify the legitimacy of jobs advertised online by checking with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and to use only private agencies registered and licensed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. Kenyans are also advised to use the list of approved agencies available at www.neaims.go.ke.