Govt issues security advisory for Kenyans in DRC amid rising violence

Govt issues security advisory for Kenyans in DRC amid rising violence

The government has issued a security advisory for its Kenyans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in response to the escalating violence and recent attacks by the M23 rebel group targeting its embassy and personnel in Kinshasa.

In a statement dated February 20, 2025, the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said that the attacks, carried out by a riotous mob protesting the violent conflict in eastern DRC, have raised concerns over the safety of Kenyans living in the region prompting the Kenyan government to take action.

In addition, Mudavadi urged all Kenyans in the DRC to remain on high alert and assess their security situation adding that the government is actively considering facilitating their evacuation from volatile regions, especially those closest to active conflict zones and can reach the consulate in Goma or Kenya’s temporary offices in Congo Brazzaville.

“The conflict between the security forces and militant groups led by M23 that began in the Eastern part of DRC, on the Rwandan border, has escalated rapidly and seems to have spread to other parts of the country,” Prime CS’s statement reads in part.

“Following the disturbing situation, we are requesting Kenyans in DRC to take extreme caution of their security situation, and where necessary consider possible evacuation, especially from the volatile regions. The Kenyan government is considering the evacuation of Kenyans who can reach out to our consulate in Goma and our temporary offices in Congo Brazzaville.”

Mudavadi stated that the decision was made following the January 28, 2025 press statement on attacks against the Kenyan Embassy and personnel in Kinshasa by riotous mobs protesting the ongoing violence in Eastern DRC. He emphasized that the Kenyan government remains deeply concerned about the worsening security situation in the country.

“After the press statement, we issued on the 28th of January 2025 raising concerns over the attacks on our Embassy offices and personnel in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by a riotous mob protesting the violent conflict in Eastern DRC, Kenya is worried about the escalation of conflict in the DRC, “Mudavadi said.

The Prime CS noted that Kenya continues to call for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict adding that the government has reiterated its support for the peace efforts outlined during the recent East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) high-level meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“We continue to urge the parties in the conflict to consider an immediate ceasefire, as adopted by the Heads of State and at the Joint East African Cooperation (EAC), and Southern African Development Community (SADC) High-Level meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” he added.

Advisory on Kenyans in the Democratic Republic of Congo. pic.twitter.com/mtqfYPnTNm

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) February 20, 2025