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"content": "On 14th July, 2016, an executive decision for evacuation of Kenyans was made. On 15th July, 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dispatched an official to Juba to liaise with and assist the Embassy in ascertaining the number of vulnerable Kenyans willing to leave the possible means of transport out of Juba and exit route. Simultaneously, on 16th July, the Chiefs of Defence Forces of Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and the Sudan visited Juba to discuss regional stabilization effort. On Saturday, 16th July, 2016, a team of 16 officials including six medical personnel were dispatched to Juba to commence emergency evacuation. Between 16th and 19th July, 2016, a total of 845 nationals were evacuated by air which includes 712 adults and 133 children who were infants. Among the evacuees, priority was given to the vulnerable, mainly women with infants, children, the sick, elderly, wounded and persons with disabilities. As of 18th July, 2016, the number of Kenyans who had registered at the Embassy stood at 4,031. The Government is negotiating for safe road passage through Juba-Nimule Road to Uganda for Kenyans who could not be evacuated by air. Currently, there are about 1,000 Kenyans camping at the Embassy in Juba to whom the Government is providing safety and emergency relief. So far, an estimated 1,500 Kenyans have benefited from the security escort provided by the Ugandan Defence Forces escorting trucks ferrying their nationals to Uganda. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I wish to report that our Embassy at Juba will continue to issue free emergency travel certificates for those without valid travel documents up to Monday 25th July, 2016. As at present, the situation is calm and quiet and it is expected to continue to improve. The Government is still monitoring the situation closely with a view to quickly determining an appropriate course of action should the situation deteriorate. With regard to the number of Kenyans who have lost their lives in the ongoing skirmishes, there is one unconfirmed report of the death of a Kenyan truck driver allegedly killed in crossfire; a Mr. Mohammed Ali Ibrahim. The Embassy is in constant communication with the relevant authorities to ascertain the accuracy of this report as well as the nationality of the deceased. Third is on how the bodies of Kenyans who have lost their lives will be brought back to Kenya. The alleged deceased Kenyan is alleged to have been buried in the South Sudan according to Muslim rites. Fourth is on whether the Government is considering seeking compensation from the Government of South Sudan for Kenyans who may have lost their properties in the conflict. The Government is concerned about the loss suffered by the investors from Kenya. However, at this particular moment in time, efforts are geared to ensuring the safety and evacuation of nationals as well as encouraging the parties to the conflict to resolve their differences through peaceful means. Once the situation improves and peace is restored, the Government will engage with the Government of South Sudan to explore avenues of compensation. The fifth question is on what the Government is doing as a leader in the region to engage intergovernmental authorities; the East African Community, the African Union, the United Nations (UN) and other international agencies to assist in solving the conflict. The Government has been fully engaged in mobilizing both regional and international The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}