48 more Kenyans return home amid anti-immigrant crackdown in South Africa

Forty-eight more Kenyans who had been stranded in South Africa arrived in the country on Wednesday evening, July 1, bringing the total number of those repatriated so far to 180.

They are the latest group to return home as undocumented and illegal foreigners continue leaving South Africa following the expiry of the June 30 deadline.

The government has stated that more Kenyans are expected to be repatriated in the coming days.

With only the clothes on his back and documents in his hands, Ally Jela Sambui noted that he has returned home with nothing after spending six years living and working in Durban.

He is among the latest batch of Kenyans forced to leave South Africa following an anti-immigrant crackdown that has seen many foreigners lose their businesses and livelihoods.

"We have nothing, not even transport, but I thank God," Sambui stated. 

Before the anti-immigrant operations intensified, Sambui operated a supermarket in Durban that supported his family of six.

However, he stated that the business became a target during the raids.

"They used to come late at night. Some would climb onto the roof, break in and force their way inside. There was nothing else to do except run. My wife kept telling me to leave because I would be killed," he said.

He pointed out that the attacks eventually became personal, leaving him with injuries and the loss of everything he owned.

"Only God protected us. They burned down my shop, stole my phone and even broke my teeth. I thank God, Alhamdulillah," Sambui remarked. 

His experience mirrors that of many other Kenyans caught up in the unrest, whose hopes of building a better life in South Africa came to an abrupt end.

"It has become very difficult for me. We were attacked in a way that is hard to explain. They despise you and are so full of themselves," Anthony Gatura stated. 

"There are people who have lost their jobs and had their lives disrupted. They are now on the streets being told to return to their own country," Bellian Wambugu noted.

Despite the ordeal, some of those returning home said they remain hopeful and are encouraging investors to consider opportunities in Kenya instead.

"The problem is the way they treat black foreigners. If you walk through the streets, you will hardly see a white person being targeted. I want to tell investors to come to Kenya. We have the Gen Z spirit. We are not fighting black people or white people. We know who our fight is with," Wambugu added. 

The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, which has been coordinating the evacuation flights from South Africa, noted that another group of Kenyans is expected to arrive in the country later on Thursday night.