BY ESTHER WANGECI
The first group of Kenyan evacuees from Sudan arrived in the country via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in a military plane on Monday evening.
The group consisted of 39 students, among them 19 Kenyans, 19 Somalis, and a Saudi Arabian. They were received at the Airport by the Cabinet Secretary for Defense Aden Duale.
According to CS Duale, the students traveled by road to South Sudan where they boarded the military aircraft, and more Kenyans are to be airlifted back to the country.
He applauded the students for their courage and bravery despite the ongoing situation and further encouraged the Kenyans still stranded in Sudan and their families back home to continue registering with the State Department For Diaspora Affairs for logistic purposes.
Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary For Foreign Affairs also commended the countries that allowed Kenyans to cross the border from Sudan and also allowed Kenyan aircraft to fly over their airspace to bring the students back to Kenya.
The Government has identified about 3000 Kenyans in Sudan and is urging those in need of evacuation to do registration and include their names, their current location, passport numbers, and their emergency hotlines for necessary arrangements.
The next batch of evacuees will include a group of 29 students who crossed the border into Ethiopia after fleeing Sudan.
Roseline Njogu, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs stated that they would be flown back to Kenya as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the two warring factions in Sudan have agreed to a 72-hour ceasefire.