There was relief on Thursday morning after hundreds of Kenyans who had been stranded in Dubai were successfully brought back home. The citizens returned aboard a repatriation flight operated by Kenya Airways, which safely landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Among the passengers were several students who had been stuck in Dubai during an education trip. The learners, from Olivine School in Mombasa, had travelled to the city for a school tour when tensions escalated in the Middle East following military strikes involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
According to reports, the group’s trip was almost coming to an end when the conflict intensified, leading to heightened security alerts and disruptions in air travel across the region.
Airports were temporarily affected, leaving many travellers uncertain about their return plans.
One of the students, Angie Abawama, recalled how the situation became real after they started receiving emergency alerts on their phones.
She explained that at first they did not fully understand what was happening, but the seriousness of the situation became clear as warnings continued to appear.
Another student, Jesse, said they were shocked when they began receiving alerts advising people to seek shelter and stay away from windows. The sudden messages left them worried as they tried to understand the unfolding situation in a foreign country.
Instead of continuing with their tour activities, the learners were forced to stay inside their hotel and at times move to bunkers for safety. Dr. Olivine, who accompanied the students, said the experience was frightening because such situations are not common in Kenya.
She explained that at times they could see flashes of light in the sky as missiles were intercepted. The experience left many of them anxious as they waited for a safe way to return home.
For four days, the group remained stranded while monitoring developments and hoping for a solution. When news came that Kenya Airways would operate a special flight from Dubai, it brought hope to the stranded travellers.
The group rushed to the airport early to ensure they would not miss the flight. Dr. Olivine said they waited anxiously, knowing there was a chance the flight might not depart depending on the situation.
When the aircraft finally took off and entered Ethiopian airspace, the passengers reportedly felt a huge sense of relief. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return home safely after days of fear and uncertainty.
Upon landing in Nairobi, several passengers said they felt safe again and were eager to reunite with their families after the stressful experience.
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