The State Department of Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday evacuated a Kenyan who was injured and in critical care in Albania since August 2022.
In a statement on Tuesday, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs said the Kenyan Mission in Rome on January 11 reported that Joyce Aoko, who was working in Tirana, was in distress.
“Ms Aoko was brutally attacked by unknown persons at her place of work in August 2022 which led to serious injuries. She was hospitalized for treatment and has been in critical condition ever since. Unfortunately, she needed specialized neurological care which was not available in Albania,” the statement said.
Adding that Kenya had asked Albania to conduct speedy and thorough investigations to bring the perpetrators to book, the department said it found it in Ms. Aoko’s best interests, to bring her home to recuperate.
“Following consultations, the Government of Kenya commenced to facilitate her immediate medical evacuation from Albania to Kenya” the statement added.
The Air Ambulance Services aircraft transporting Ms. Aoko and her mother alongside the medical team arrived at Wilson Airport at 6.30 PM.
She was received by Diaspora Affairs PS Roseline Njogu and Health Director General Patrick Amoth, among other officials and relatives.
“Kudos to my team in Nairobi @Diaspora_KE and @ForeignOfficeKE and in Rome @KEembassy_rome who worked around the clock to make the evacuation possible. Grateful for @AMREFFlyingDocs @Amref_Kenya and KUTTRH,” PS Njogu tweeted.
Ms. Aoko was taken to Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital for further treatment.
The State Department said it would offer counselling services to the family.
