Kenyans in Israel, Iran cautioned amid missile barrage
Fire of Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot is seen following the Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025.
The Kenyan government has issued urgent travel warnings to its citizens, advising them to avoid Israel and Iran.
This response follows a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, to which Iran has retaliated.
Like other countries, Kenya has issued travel advisories ranging from full-scale travel bans and embassy alerts to calls for immediate evacuation. These reflect a rapidly deteriorating security landscape and a unified international effort to protect citizens amid rising chaos.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Kenyans to move away from and avoid travelling, exercise extreme caution, avoid non-essential movement, to also monitor local media and alerts and follow local authority instructions.
“In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs issues the following urgent advisory to all Kenyan nationals in Israel and Iran,” said Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu.
“The safety and well-being of Kenyans abroad remain our utmost priority as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve.”
Roseline Njogu during the interview at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on November 15, 2022.
She urged them to have their emergency preparedness documents and emergency supplies and contact “our missions in Tel Aviv and Tehran if you require urgent assistance or are in distress”.
Evacuation
The PS also told them to register their presence with the Kenya mission near them if they have not done so, to ensure they can be reached quickly in case of evacuation or emergency support.
“Stay Connected and maintain regular contact with family members and inform them of your whereabouts and well-being. The Government continues to monitor the situation in the region and remains fully committed to the safety and welfare of Kenyans wherever they are,” the PS added.
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This move follows recent Israeli airstrikes deep within Iranian territory, targeting nuclear facilities and weapons manufacturing sites. The strikes reportedly eliminated several senior Iranian military figures, sharply escalating regional instability.
Israel remains on high alert after Iran launched a wave of missile strikes across central and northern regions, killing dozens of people and leaving a trail of destruction.
Escalating conflict
The attacks, part of what Iran claims is retaliation for Israeli strikes on nuclear infrastructure, have pushed both countries deeper into open conflict.
Iran has closed its airspace, and Israel has closed its main airport and its airspace to civilian traffic, along with its ports.
This has left foreigners with few options for leaving, namely land crossings or government airlifts.
As the situation continues to evolve, Kenya remains committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens in Israel and Iran and is prepared to take necessary actions to protect them.
Leaders from Russia, China and the European Union have expressed concern as the conflict in Israel and Palestine continues.
According to government figures, more than 700 foreigners living in Iran have crossed into neighbouring Azerbaijan and Armenia since Israel launched its campaign on Friday.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that over 700 of its citizens have been evacuated from Iran and Israel and relocated to “safe areas”.
The US has also announced that it is closing its embassy in Jerusalem until Friday due to the ongoing conflict.
An Iranian human rights group based in Washington, DC, said that at least 585 people, including 239 civilians, have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in Israeli attacks on Iran. So far, more than 24 people have been killed in Iranian attacks on Israel.