EU to assist Kenyans leave Ukraine – envoy
The European Union (EU) said yesterday that it will work with the Kenya government to assist Kenyans stranded in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger said they were in talks with the Kenya government to work out a process of assisting those who are not in a position to buy air tickets to fly back home.
Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, Geigner denied that Africans fleeing the war ravaged nation were being discriminated against. She urged Kenyans not to share unverified reports.
“The EU member States bordering Ukraine like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania immediately recognised the serious humanitarian urgency and has granted unrestricted access to Ukrainians and other nationals escaping Ukraine including Kenyans,” she said.
“The usual entry requirements have been waived. No visa, no vaccination and even no passport is needed for entry.
Other EU member States are preparing to host millions of refugees leaving Ukraine due to Russian invasion,” she added.
She said over 200 Kenyans, mostly students, were stranded in Ukraine and contrary to social media reports, those who have arrived at the borders had been allowed to enter EU member States.
“The EU regrets the incorrect and skewed media reporting on this issue that has repeatedly appeared in various Kenyan outlets and social media and calls for careful verification of facts,” she added.
Humanitarian law
Ukraine Ambassador to Kenya Andrii Pravednyk also said there was no discrimination based on race, skin colour or nationality including when it comes to crossing the border by foreign citizens.
“The first come first served approach applies to all nationalities. In accordance with international humanitarian law, priority is given to women and children. All men, both Ukrainian nationals and foreign citizens pass checks and check-in operations after women, children and the elderly,” said Pravednyk, who spoke at the Ukraine embassy in Nairobi yesterday.
He said Ukraine had established an emergency hotline for foreign students wishing to leave the country.
