The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has requested Sh400 million in emergency funds to support the possible evacuation of Kenyans affected by the conflict in the Gulf region.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, told Parliament that the government has prepared emergency measures to ensure the safe return of about 500,000 citizens living in the area.
Kenya cited a joint attack by the United States and Israel on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks targeting US and Israeli interests in several Gulf and Middle Eastern countries as factors putting over half a million of its citizens at potential risk.
The PCS said the government has issued advisories to keep Kenyans informed of the evolving situation, including precautionary measures and mobilisation of resources for potential evacuations.
“The Department has formally requested additional funding amounting to Sh400 million from the National Treasury to support ongoing and potential evacuation operations, as well as associated logistical and consular assistance,” Mudavadi told MPs on Thursday morning.
He added: “Given the trajectory of the crisis in the Middle East, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs still requires these funds to prepare and facilitate both the effective evacuation and repatriation of Kenyans from the region.”
Emergency communication channels, including the 24-hour Diaspora Call Centre, embassy hotlines, and emails in affected countries, have been circulated to ensure citizens can access immediate assistance.
The government has also rolled out registration links via the Diaspora Integrated Information Management System portal to support real-time data collection, mapping, and coordinated response planning.
Mudavadi, appearing before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, said there are approximately 500,000 Kenyans residing and working in the Gulf and wider Middle East region.
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number at 300,000, followed by Qatar with 70,000, the United Arab Emirates with 50,000, Lebanon 26,600, Bahrain with 9,400, Oman with 9,392, Kuwait with 4,215, Israel with 506, Iran with 200, and Iraq with 152.
“These figures, while approximate due to some Kenyans not registering with the government on departure or arrival, highlight the strategic importance of close monitoring and preparedness measures,” he said.
The CS told Senators that the conflict is affecting exports and may reduce remittances from Gulf states, while also disrupting air transport schedules.
Countries such as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are major transit hubs for travel to and from Kenya
“The crisis has disrupted shipping routes to the Gulf states, a key market for Kenyan tea, flowers, and meat, causing delays for exporters,” Mudavadi said.
He further warned that Kenya’s reliance on fuel imports from the Gulf makes the country vulnerable, with regional tensions contributing to higher international oil prices and potential increases in transport, electricity, and living costs.
“The conflict also affects the supply of essential agricultural inputs, particularly fertiliser, which could impact the upcoming farming season. Travel advisories may also hurt the tourism sector, leading to revenue losses,” he said.
As of March 22, 2026, fifteen Kenyans had been evacuated from Iran with government-funded travel, while six others were assisted with travel documents to enable their return.
The government is providing psychosocial support through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, in coordination with counsellors from the State Department for Public Service, to ensure evacuees receive necessary assistance.
Kenyans evacuated from Iran were received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by a team from the SDDA, which included counsellors.
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