Iran war : Mudavadi advises Kenyans to avoid high - risk areas in Middle East

the-star.co.ke · Mar 1, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. /MUSALIA MUDAVADI/XForeign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a security advisory to Kenyan citizens in the Middle East following a sharp escalation of hostilities in the region.In a statement on Sunday, Mudavadi warned of heightened risks after attacks by Israeli and US forces on Iran on Saturday morning and subsequent retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israel and US bases in some Gulf states.Mudavadi urged Kenyans living in or travelling through Iran, Israel, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq to remain vigilant and prioritise their safety.He further called on them to follow and comply with guidance issued by local security authorities and to remain alert and monitor official communication from host governments regarding travel and safety updates."All Kenyan citizens in Iran, Israel, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and surrounding areas are advised to remain alert and monitor official communication from host governments regarding travel and safety updates," Mudavadi said.He advised citizens to “exercise extreme caution and avoid non-essential movement, especially near high-risk areas such as military facilities and crowded public spaces.” The CS also cautioned about possible flight and airspace disruptions and asked Kenyans who have not registered with the nearest embassy to “do so immediately to enable timely updates from the Missions and assistance during emergencies.”Mudavadi said the government “continues to assess the situation” and remains in close contact with its diplomatic missions in the region, promising further updates through official channels.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.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.