Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu assured the country that no Kenyan had been reported dead or injured following the tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
In a statement dated Monday, February 6, Njogu insisted that preliminary reports indicated that no Kenyan had been caught in the tragedy.
However, she appealed to those living in Turkey and Syria to contact the respective embassies for emergency assistance.
"Following today's tragic earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Kenyan Embassy in Ankara confirms no reports of any Kenyan dead or injured.
"Kenyans affected by this earthquake can call the embassy hotline or send a direct message to us," Njogu's statement read in part.
The PS listed hotline numbers and email details for Kenyans to contact the embassy and government officials for help. Her statement came amidst concern over the safety of Kenyans in those two countries.
Further, the embassy joined other world leaders to commiserate with the families of victims killed following the tragic earthquake.
"The Kenyan Embassy in Ankara commiserates with the families of the victims killed in the massive earthquake in southern Türkiye, the Government and the people of Türkiye. We wish a quick recovery to the injured and successful rescue of those trapped under rubble," the embassy stated.
President William Ruto led the nation in consoling the affected families following the Turkey earthquake that claimed over 4,300 lives.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Türkiye and Syria following the loss of life caused by the earthquake. We mourn with families who have lost loved ones and wish all those injured a quick recovery," Ruto stated.
"I join the rest of the world in expressing my concerns and extending my deepest condolences to the affected people and families, and the government of Turkey," Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also wrote.
The tragedy, which claimed 4,300 lives followed a strong earthquake that hit the region at around 4 a.m. on Monday, February 6, sending tremors to places as far away as Lebanon and Israel.
In Turkey, at least 2,921 people were killed and more than 15,800 others injured, according to Turkey’s head of disaster services, Yunus Sezer.
At least 1,451 people have died in Syria, according to the Syrian State News Agency (SANA).
Following the tragic incident, various agencies and governments deployed personnel to help the two countries retrieve bodies and offer emergency services to affected people.
PS Njogu advised Kenyans affected in Syria and Turkey to contact the government through the following details: embassy hotline +90(538)502 0960, email diaspora@mfa.go.ke
