The Kenyan government has moved to secure the safety of Kenyans in South Africa (SA) as the wave of xenophobic attacks that started a fortnight ago spread to towns outside Johannesburg.Speaking in his office on Friday, Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula said that he had instructed the High Commissioner in SA, Thomas Amolo, to engage the South African Minister for Internal Security on the issue.
“The High Commissioner in Pretoria is this (Friday) morning meeting the Security Minister to discuss security provision for foreign nationals,” said Wetangula.
This development follows reports of attacks on a handful of businesses owned by Kenyans as well as several threats.
“As a government, we have a responsibility to take care of our nationals if the situation needs us to do so,” the Minister uttered.
An estimated 20,000 Kenyans work, learn and do business in SA, and with the advent of the attacks they have been asked to be in close contact with the High Commission.
Meanwhile, South African High Commissioner to Kenya Tony Msimanga has assured that his Government was doing everything possible to stop attacks against foreigners in his country.
Many Kenyan Somalis do business in South Africa and the Kenya's foreign ministry has issued warnings.
