The repatriation of more Kenyans rescued from scam centres in Myanmar will resume after the festive season following the closure of borders for the holiday season.
According to the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, 198 Kenyans await repatriation: 66 in Thailand’s IDC and 129 in Myanmar shelters. Additionally, the Embassy is also in touch with 3 Kenyans in Caritas Catholic safe house in Cambodia.
In a statement, the Ministry has faulted some Kenyans involved in the scam operations for initially refusing to cooperate with the government and spreading incorrect information online.
“Notably, 86 Kenyans in military shelters initially refused cooperation-demanding government-funded tickets and spreading falsehoods on social media but shared next-of-kin details on December 19, 2025.”
119 Kenyans have been successfully repatriated, following recent raids by Myanmar authorities and rebel groups, with efforts continuing for the remaining Kenyans amid complex regional dynamics.
Flouting the law
As the government works to have Kenyans rescued from the scam centres back in the country, it has revealed that some of them ignored the law to enter Myanmar’s neighbor, Thailand.
“Most of those seeking repatriation entered Thailand on tourist visas (April 2024-November 2025), ignoring the “employment prohibited” endorsement on the visa,” the statement added. “In fact, when stopped at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), majority insisted that they are travelling to the country for tourism.”
Furthermore, the State Department explained that many bypassed prior government evacuations, including the major one in March 2025, knowingly returning to scam work.
Myanmar is a country at war, and unsuspecting citizens of different nations around the globe were lured into the country to work for scam businesses.
Preying on the vulnerable
Accounts in the media of some victims revealed that they were lured into scamming through adverts of well-paying jobs, only for them to end up in scam centres in war-tone Myanmar.
According to Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs, in September 2025, the Myanmar government raided the scam compounds involving arrests, seizures, bombings, and demolitions.
The raid caused conflict between the government and the rebel groups, and between the various rebel factions.
In response to the raids, the criminal elements operating the camps fled, abandoning workers including over 200 Kenyans who sought refuge in military shelters in Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko, while another group of over 100 Kenyans crossed over to Thailand.
How Kenya is handling the repatriation process
The Kenyan government through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) and the Kenya Embassy in Bangkok swiftly activated the following measures upon receiving an initial list of 126 Kenyans.
- Created WhatsApp groups linking next-of-kin for real-time updates and ticket procurement coordination, enabling the repatriation of 119 individuals. However, 7 Kenyans remain, pending rebooking after last-minute cancellations.
- Negotiated group discounted fares with Kenya Airways, easing financial burdens for families.
- Issued Emergency Travel Documents for those without passports.
- Coordinated with Thai authorities for safe passage via the Thai-Myanmar 2nd Friendship Bridge, covering logistics to the airport including transport. SDDA funded these logistics.
- Upon arrival in Kenya, evacuees are interviewed by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations’ Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) to pursue syndicate prosecutions.
- SDDA’s counselling unit in partnership with other stakeholders provides psychosocial support for those in need including their families.
The closure of borders means rescued Kenyans in distress in Thailand, Myanmar shelters, and Cambodia have to wait a bit longer to get back home.
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