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EU Member States bordering Ukraine have granted unrestricted safe haven to escaping Kenyans

02.03.2022
Nairobi

The Russian aggression on Ukraine started last Thursday, on 24 February. The EU Member States bordering Ukraine - Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania – immediately recognised the serious humanitarian urgency and have granted unrestricted access to Ukrainians and other nationals escaping Ukraine, including Kenyans. The usual entry requirements have been waived. No visa, no vaccination, and even no passport is needed for entry. Other EU Member States are preparing to host millions of refugees leaving Ukraine due to the Russian invasion.

Over 200 Kenyan citizens were stranded in Ukraine due to the invasion. A large proportion of these are students. Contrary to some media reports, those Kenyans who have arrived at the borders have been assisted and allowed to enter safely into EU Member States: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania. 

The four EU Member States reacted immediately to the crisis, lifting or limiting restrictions to enter their territories. Between 24 and 28 February over 350 000 persons crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border, among them 7 721 Africans, including 88 Kenyans. Slovakia immediately lifted restrictions. Within the last four days more than 4150 people from 40 African countries were able to flee from the invasion into Slovakia. Likewise, Romania and Hungary have exempted third party nationals from visa requirements for transit purposes, and those nevertheless seeking visas could obtain them at the border points. Romania has supported a large number of students, including 3000 Indian students, to pass through without restrictions.

The EU regrets the incorrect and skewed media reporting on this issue that has repeatedly appeared in various Kenyan outlets and social media, and calls for careful verification of the facts. Given that in some cases deliberate disinformation is being spread, the EU Embassies present in Kenya are ready to provide accurate data.

All four of these Member States have so far welcomed over half a million, mainly Ukrainian refugees over their borders and more are likely to follow. In response to the very large Ukrainian refugee flows into EU Member States, European Commissioner Johansson has announced a European Solidarity Platform to coordinate support to those Member States in need. The European Commission is also coordinating the reception places offered by other non-bordering Member States.

In the words of European Commission President von der Leyen: “We welcome with open arms those […] who have to flee from Putin's bombs and I am proud of the warm welcome that Europeans have given them. We are mobilising every effort and every euro to support our eastern Member States – to host and take care of these refugees. We will do this in full solidarity.”