The Government of Kenya has issued an urgent directive to citizens currently residing and working across the Middle East to immediately register with Kenyan diplomatic missions as the conflict in Iran escalates.
The advisory, issued by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, comes in the wake of significant military escalations in the region.
Following recent coordinated strikes and the subsequent closure of several international airspaces, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is moving to ensure that every Kenyan in the affected territories is accounted for and reachable.
The government said it is closely monitoring the unfolding events in the Middle East following Saturday’s outbreak of war in Iran.
Kenya is consequently urging all its citizens residing in, or planning to travel to the region to exercise heightened vigilance.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu has asked Kenyans living in the countries to register immediately with the Kenyan missions, limit movement, follow official guidance and avoid rumours.
“The State Department of Diaspora Affairs remains operational around the clock to support Kenyans abroad. The government of Kenya reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting the safety, rights, and welfare of all Kenyans abroad,” PS Njogu said.
Following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran Saturday morning, Tehran has launched a retaliatory attack targeting American-Israeli interests in eight countries in the Middle East.
The affected countries include the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Kenya has an estimated 400,000 citizens living or working in the Middle East.
On Saturday, Njogu’s counterpart for Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'Oei, said the government was closely monitoring the situation through its diplomatic missions.
“We are following with deep concern the evolving situation in the Middle East and are in close communication with our diplomatic Missions," he posted on X.
He added, "We urge Kenyans in the region to exercise caution. We stand in solidarity with countries calling for de-escalation and a return to UN Charter-based mechanisms for resolving matters in dispute."
Dubai, in the UAE, which has one of the biggest Kenyan populations in diaspora in the region, has been hit the most with the latest reports saying Iranian missiles last night damaged part of the Dubai international airport as well as a luxury hotel in Dubai.
So far, Kenya has not received any information about citizens who are casualties of the conflict that has cased disrupts across the entire Middle East, cutting transport after major airlines including Qatar, Etihad and Emirates from the region, as well as Kenya Airways suspended flights from and to the region.
PS Njogu has asked those in distress to contact the nearest Kenyan Embassy or consulate immediately through the diaspora mission’s website, the 24-hour Diaspora Emergency Hotline +254207876000, WhatsApp +254114757002, or the diaspora consular email.
Iran's state media has since confirmed the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after both the US and Israel revealed earlier that he had been taken out. Iran has vowed to intensify its retaliatory attacks.
"Leader and Imam of the Muslims, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, on the path of upholding the exaltation of the sacred sanctuary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, drank the sweet, pure drought of martyrdom and joined the Supreme Heavenly Kingdom", State TV announcement according to a Reuters translation.
On Saturday, Kenya Airways announced the temporary suspension of its flights to Dubai and Sharjah following the closure of the United Arab Emirates airspace.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience and understanding. We will communicate and engage directly with affected customers and provide them with the necessary assistance,” the airline stated.
Passengers were advised to regularly check the latest flight updates through the airline’s website, mobile application or customer care channels.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!