Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has said that about 3,000 Kenyans are stuck in Sudan amid escalating violence.
According to Mutua, Kenyans in Sudan have been forced to lock themselves inside their homes and are seeking help to return back to the country.
Speaking at a government thanksgiving function in Machakos on Sunday, Mutua stated that plans to ferry the citizens back home are underway and they are already in talks with Kenya Airways who are on standby.
“We have a big problem in Sudan I am just looking at the reports, bombing is escalating, we have about 3,000 Kenyans stuck in Sudan and they are scared nobody is leaving their house,” he said.
“I want to assure Kenyans we are aligned, we have talked to Kenya Airways and they are ready to bring back Kenyans if things get out of hand.”
CS Mutua further went on to urge Kenyan citizens to always register themselves with the Embassies in the respective diaspora nations, as it aids in easy communication and response in the event chaos erupts.
“Wherever you are, whenever you go overseas please register with the Embassy because you don’t know what will happen. Those who have already registered, we are in touch with them and we have a problem finding those who didn’t,” he said.
“We are going to give a number so that if you have someone there they can call.”
Sudan’s military, on Saturday, engaged in violence for power with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudan’s Army General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan is reported to have told Al Jazeera that RSF had attacked his residence in the morning, igniting the violence.
The RSF claimed full control of the presidential palace even as the army claimed control of all airports.
President William Ruto has expressed great concern about the developing crisis, calling on all parties involved in the military violence to address differences through peaceful means.
He said Kenya and IGAD states are available and ready to contribute to the resolution of what he termed as an unfortunate situation.
On Sunday, during a meeting with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), President Ruto called for an immediate cessation of hostilities between the warring parties in Sudan.
Those in the emergency session were Presidents Salva Kiir (South Sudan), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Ismail Omar Guelleh (Djibouti) and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (Somalia).
