15 Kenyans evacuated from Iran as war in Middle East escalates

The government has evacuated 15 Kenyans from Iran as the war in the Middle East entered its fourth week with no signs of de-escalation.

The group that left Tehran via Turkey is expected in Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Sunday morning (today), according to Diaspora Affairs PS Roselyne Njogu.

While announcing the development in a press statement issued on Saturday night, the PS said the government continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and will provide timely updates to citizens in the region and the public.

"A multi-agency team has activated emergency protocols across Kenya Missions in the region. Following this, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, working with Kenya Missions in Ankara and Tehran, has facilitated the evacuation of 15 Kenyans from Iran via Türkiye," PS Njogu said

The PS urged Kenyans in the Middle East to strictly adhere to guidance issued by Kenyan embassies, host governments, and official government communication channels.

This is the first time Nairobi has announced a successful evacuation of its nationals since the crisis in the Gulf that was sparked by the twin attack by the US-Israel on Iran, over three weeks ago.

Iran, in retaliation, has attacked several countries in the Middle East, saying it is targeting American-Israeli interests that include military installations, power plants and even civilian areas.

Among the countries that have been affected by the war are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Syria and Lebanon.

There are over 400,000 Kenyans in the Middle East, with the majority either working or doing business mainly in cities such as Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha.

Last night, the US and Israel continued heavy bombardment of Iran, with Tehran responding with missiles that hit the city of Dimona near Israel's nuclear facility, injuring over 100 people.

Iranian state TV said the strike was in response to a reported attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility earlier on Saturday. The IAEA said "no increase in off-site radiation levels" had been reported after that incident.

Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's director general, said: "maximum military restraint should be observed, in particular in the vicinity of nuclear facilities."