The government has asked all Kenyans living in foreign countries to register at the nearest embassies or high commissions.
This will enable the government to accounts for its citizens abroad,ย Foreign Affairs CS Monica Juma said on Thursday.
Juma asked for the registration a day after two pilots, who had been detained in South Sudan after their plane crashed, were released.
The Minister reiterated that theย lives, property and safety of every Kenyan abroad is a top government priority.
“We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that every Kenyan anywhere is safe,” she said.
“We therefore encourage all Kenyan nationals living abroad to register with nearest Kenyan Embassy or High Commission or through the Diaspora and Consular Directorate at Ministry of Foreign Affairs onย diaspora@mfa.go.keย or +254 204 94992.”
Kenya issued a travel advisory forย citizens living in and travelling to South Sudan, citing insecurity in areas dominated by rebels.
“Kenyan nationals living or traveling to South Sudan should move away from and avoid traveling to areas where armed conflicts and inter-ethnic violence have occurred within the last six months,”ย Juma said on Wednesday.
“Kenyan nationals in other parts of the country are advised to exercise extreme caution as they undertake their daily activities.”
The ministry’s appeal comes amid rising cases of Kenyan citizens being mistreated and murdered in foreign countries.
Early in January, a Kenyan medic was murdered in Essen, Germany, by an attacker who raided her retail store.
The body of 27-year-old Mary Waithera was found on the floor of her shop and initial reports indicated she was stabbed in the chest with a knife.
Waithera’s family, who live in Kayole estate in Naivasha, have cried foul and demanded justice for their daughter who had lived in that country for eight years.