Kenya not taking sides in Middle East war, Mudavadi says

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi/FILE

Kenya is not aligned with any side in the ongoing Middle East conflict and is calling for de-escalation of the war, which is causing disruptions in the region.

Last week, President William Ruto criticised Iran for retaliatory attacks on Gulf states but did not explicitly condemn Israel or the United States.

However, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, addressed an international forum to reaffirm that Nairobi remains neutral in the conflict.

“Kenya has not aligned with any party in the Middle East crisis. It has consistently called for de-escalation, dialogue, multilateral engagement, and adherence to international law,” he said.

Mudavadi added: “We remain a neutral and principled voice advocating for peace, restraint, humanitarian protection, and international legality. We are also focused on the safety and well-being of more than half a million Kenyan nationals living, working, and studying in the Middle East.”

He spoke at Chatham House on Monday in London, United Kingdom, in a speech titled “Kenya’s Expanding Foreign Policy Interests in a Changing World Order,” highlighting how the country is recalibrating its diplomacy to navigate evolving global dynamics.

Mudavadi emphasized that Kenya believes longstanding multilateral institutions provide the most effective frameworks for resolving violent conflicts.

“Certainly, the established principles of diplomacy, including the peaceful conduct of international relations, negotiations, and mutual reciprocity, should now take precedence. They are more vital than ever for safeguarding global stability and advancing development for shared prosperity,” he said.

He warned that the longer the violence continues, the greater the potential harm, particularly if traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted.

“Disruptions to energy supply, air travel, and trade will have wider economic and security implications. Our region, still facing threats from terrorism, must remain vigilant during this crisis,” the PCS said.

Mudavadi noted that the Middle East conflict, like other global crises, including COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, underscores the importance for African states to diversify supply chains and accelerate integration, including full implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area objectives.

“Additionally, we must accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Let us reimagine the future: if Africa were powered by clean energy such as solar, geothermal, and hydro, would the Middle East crisis have the same impact?” he asked.

He cautioned that the overlap of the Red Sea crisis and potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which handles 20% of global oil, signals a looming challenge.

“We appeal to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to help ease tensions and consider the potential impacts on African countries from the Middle East conflict,” Mudavadi added.

With global attention focused on the Middle East, the PCS also warned that other pressing regional issues, such as the Sudan crisis, risk being overshadowed.

“Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, which had been drawing international attention, now risks fading into the background as global focus shifts to the Middle East, as was the case during previous conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine,” he said