by SHARON MWENDE
Tuesday August 6, 2024
Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.
Image: FILE
The State Department of Diaspora Affairs has urged Kenyans in Lebanon to urgently register for evacuation as fears of war mount.
Several countries have urged their nationals to leave Lebanon, as fears grow of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Iran has vowed "severe" retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday.
It is feared that Lebanon-based Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, could play a heavy role in any such retaliation, which in turn could spark a serious Israeli response in Lebanon.
Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets at the town of Beit Hillel in northern Israel at around 00:25 local time on Sunday (22:25 BST Saturday).
His assassination came hours after Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the department released a link and emergency contacts to facilitate the registration process.
"Urgently register with us through this link: https://tinyurl.com/2m9nw4ww or call +96590906719/+96171175006/+254114757002 for evacuation purposes," the department said.
It also appealed to those who can move to safer areas within Lebanon and those able to leave the country, to do so.
The State Department directed Kenyans with family members in Lebanon, to call the +254114757002 number provided for ease of safety coordination.
They can also visit the department's offices at the Old Mutual Building, Ground floor along Upper Hill Road.
"We are also requesting Kenyans in the Diaspora to help convey this information to as many people as possible especially our brothers and sisters in Lebanon," it added.
For further updates and assistance, the department urged Kenyans to stay tuned to its social media pages for updates on the same/
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs assured Kenyans in the Diaspora that their safety is its top priority.