At least 26 Kenyans have been repatriated from South Africa today as the government steps up evacuation of citizens amid rising anti-migrant tensions.

Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said the government received the first group this morning and is coordinating the arrival of 64 more later today and tomorrow.

"We have received 26 Kenyans this morning from South Africa and we are expecting 64 more later in the day and more tomorrow," Njogu said on Tuesday.

"Since we issued a call, we have received about 200 people wanting to come back."

Njogu revealed that nearly 100 Kenyans are currently taking shelter at Kenya's High Commission in Pretoria as authorities continue to monitor the situation.

"The 200 who have called to be evacuated is a small number of more than 27,000 working and living in South Africa," she said, adding that majority of Kenyans in South Africa are compliant with regulations.

The repatriation comes just days after reports that South Africa slapped a five-year re-entry ban on Kenyans who accepted government repatriation offer.

The Sunday Nation established on September 13 that more than 470 Kenyans who accepted repatriation received five-year re-entry bans, meaning they must adapt to life in Kenya and forget about visiting families until mid-2031.

Only 472 out of the estimated 27,000 Kenyans in South Africa chose to be returned home, while over 26,000 opted to stay despite protests that left businesses looted, jobs lost and livelihoods destroyed.

Julius Ndungu Mwangi, 60, from Muranga, who was among returnees interviewed at Nation Centre on September 10, said returnees were promised financial assistance at the embassy in Pretoria but received nothing upon arrival.

The Kenyan High Commission is working in coordination with the Kenyan community association to assist those in need of evacuation.

The South African government has done a lot to ensure people stay off the streets but Kenyan authorities remain in close contact with the diplomatic mission.

Evacuation efforts continues.