Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula has castigated the government for abandoning Kenyans in China at a time when they need help most.
In a statement on his social media platforms on Saturday, April 18, Wetangula urged the government to learn from former President Mwai Kibaki and evacuate the citizens from China as soon as possible and at no cost at all.
"Our Embassy in China is a big let down. You cannot offer distressed Kenyans an evacuation at their cost! Arrange Kenya Airways planes to lift our people. Pay from the Covid-19 fund.
"Former President Mwai Kibaki ordered us to evacuate Kenyans from South Africa when they faced xenophobic attacks and we did," he stated.
Wetangula was reacting to information that the government was going to evacuate Kenyans from China on the condition that they should cater for their own flights and be proven free from Coronavirus.
His sentiments were echoed by James Kairu, Global Ambassador Diaspora National Assembly for 254, who exclusively spoke to Kenyans.co.ke.
"We humbly request that these diaspora Kenyan citizens, be assisted and facilitated to immediately return home by the Government of Kenya, through the utilization of currently available resources from the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund.
"The fund was established by President Uhuru Kenyatta, to handle all arising matters pertaining to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, for all Kenyans, regardless of where they are in the world.
"Some of these citizens can afford their own travel expenses, thus we request that air transport is arranged for them. Once they all arrive in Kenya, they can be put under 30 days mandatory quarantine as per the directions of the Ministry of Health," Kairu had also written to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, April 16.
A Kenyan in China confirmed that the government had reached out to them and plans were underway, adding that they were also trying to find a way to ensure that Kenyans who do not have residence permits were also flown back home.
"I can confirm this and it is being organised by Ambassador Macharia Kamau, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The main purpose is to assist the aggrieved, these are ones with no residence permits. The government will arrange for them to be given amnesty.
"However, they will incur so much, because remember after paying approximately $1,000 (Ksh 106,000) as air ticket, they will also have to quarantine for 14 days in Kenya upon landing. Or maybe even 28 days," the source informed Kenyans.co.ke.
