Kenyans to leave Libya aboard special flight

A special flight has been dispatched to evacuate Kenyans from Libya, the North African country now rocked by violent clashes between security forces and protesters. (Read: Gaddafi vows to 'die a martyr')

A Kenya Airways flight was due to leave Nairobi on Wednesday en route to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, ahead of the evacuation.

By the time of going to press, the flight was still awaiting clearance from the Libyan aviation authority since the national carrier does not operate scheduled flights to that country.

“All Kenyans residing in Libya will be home tomorrow (Thursday) once we get the clearance,” the Foreign Affairs ministry in Nairobi told the Nation on Wednesday evening.

“The government is sending a special flight to bring them back.”

There are 73 Kenyans in Libya, excluding the embassy staff and their families.

They live in major cities of Tripoli, Benghazi, Sabha, Ghat and Uvari in southern Libya.

Most of them work for construction companies, as domestic workers, with airlines and as teachers. There is also a Catholic nun.

The ministry’s Public Affairs and Communication department said the mission in Tripoli was in touch with all Kenyans in Libya.

“We have been approached by the government on this matter, but we are still working out the modalities,” Kenya Airways chief executive Titus Naikuni said on Wednesday.

He said there were many costs to be settled such landing, security as well as the cost of fuel among others.