Concern for Kenyans as U.S. Orders Immediate Evacuation of Citizens From Middle East
Concern is mounting over the safety of thousands of Kenyans living and working in the Middle East following a sweeping evacuation directive issued by the United States Department of State, ordering American citizens to immediately leave multiple countries across the Gulf and surrounding regions.
In a statement posted on March 3 by U.S. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar, acting on instructions from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Americans were urged to depart from at least 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Syria, and Yemen.
The advisory underscored the urgency of the situation, calling on U.S. nationals to utilise available commercial transport to exit the region amid escalating hostilities.
“The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges Americans to depart now from the countries below using available commercial transportation due to serious safety risks,” Namdar stated.
The evacuation order comes against the backdrop of rapidly intensifying conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has triggered widespread missile and drone exchanges across the Middle East. Major urban centres, including Doha and Dubai, have reported heightened security alerts, with air defence systems activated in response to incoming threats.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates confirmed on Tuesday that their air defence units were actively intercepting a wave of ballistic missiles launched from Iran.
“Emirati air defences are currently dealing with a barrage of ballistic missiles coming from Iran,” the UAE Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The ongoing hostilities were significantly escalated following a joint U.S.-Israel military operation targeting strategic sites in Tehran. The strikes reportedly hit key political and military installations, including locations associated with Iran’s leadership, resulting in mass casualties. Iranian authorities, through the Iranian Red Crescent Society, reported that more than 500 people had been killed as of March 3.
In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S. military installations across the Gulf, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE. The United States Central Command confirmed that at least six American service members had been killed in the attacks, while Israeli authorities reported additional casualties.
The conflict has also spilled into the information space, with Qatar dismissing claims published by Bloomberg regarding the depletion of its missile defence systems.
“Contrary to reporting by Bloomberg on Monday evening, the inventory of Patriot interceptor missiles held by the Qatar Armed Forces has not been depleted and remains well-stocked,” Qatar’s International Media Office said.
Amid the deteriorating security situation, Kenya’s government has issued urgent advisories to its citizens in affected countries, urging heightened vigilance and preparedness. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kenya has advised Kenyans in Iran, Israel, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq to exercise extreme caution.
Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Roseline Njogu has directed Kenyan nationals in the region to register with the nearest embassies to facilitate emergency assistance and possible evacuation if the situation worsens.
Reports indicate that evacuation plans for Kenyans in high-risk zones, particularly Israel and Iran, are already underway. The urgency of the situation was further highlighted by a recent missile strike reported near the Kenyan Embassy in Tel Aviv, raising concerns over the safety of diplomatic missions.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi called for restraint and diplomatic engagement, urging all parties involved in the conflict to pursue peaceful resolution mechanisms.
“At this critical moment, all parties must prioritise dialogue and utilise established international frameworks, including the United Nations Charter, to de-escalate tensions,” Mudavadi said.
As tensions continue to rise, the unfolding crisis has placed thousands of foreign nationals, including Kenyans, in a precarious position, with governments racing against time to ensure the safety of their citizens in an increasingly volatile region.
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Concern for Kenyans as U.S. Orders Immediate Evacuation of Citizens From Middle East
