Written by Lisa Murimi
The Kenyan government has initiated plans to evacuate its citizens from Israel and Iran as military tensions between the two countries continue to escalate, prompting global concern and widespread disruption across the Middle East.
Through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued an urgent advisory calling on all Kenyan nationals residing in Israel and Iran to register for evacuation. A digital registration form and QR code have been made available to facilitate the process.
“For your safety and to ensure we can assist you promptly in case of any emergency or distress, we kindly ask you to register your details with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs,” read a statement posted on the ministry’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
In a statement on Wednesday, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu emphasized that the safety of Kenyan citizens abroad is a top priority. “We urge all Kenyans in the affected areas to exercise extreme caution, reduce movement, and stay updated with verified news sources as the situation unfolds,” she said.
The advisory follows days of heightened military exchanges between Israel and Iran, which began after Israel launched a series of surprise missile strikes inside Iranian territory last week. The retaliatory strikes that followed have left thousands stranded, disrupted air travel, and sparked emergency evacuations by multiple foreign governments.
With regional airspace closed or heavily restricted, several countries are utilizing land routes to transport their citizens to neighboring nations where flights are still operational.
Thousands of foreigners have already fled conflict zones, and Kenya now joins the growing list of countries scrambling to get their citizens to safety. PS Njogu also urged Kenyans in the region to keep critical documents and emergency supplies ready and remain alert for further government instructions.
Amid rising fears of broader regional involvement, Iran has warned that any direct U.S. participation in the conflict would be “very dangerous,” as Israeli forces continue targeting Iranian commanders.
The Kenyan government continues to monitor the situation closely and is working in coordination with international partners to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation process.
