Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Government of Kenya has evacuated 15 of its citizens from Iran through Türkiye.
In a statement on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said a multi-agency team has activated emergency protocols across Kenya Missions in the region.
“Following this, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, working with Kenya Missions in Ankara and Tehran, has facilitated the evacuation of 15 Kenyans from Iran via Türkiye,” she said.
Njogu added that the evacuees are expected to arrive in Kenya on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
The government said it continues to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and will keep Kenyans in the region and the public updated.
Kenyan nationals in the affected areas have been advised to strictly follow guidance issued by Kenyan embassies, host governments and official communication channels.
Kenyans in distress have also been urged to contact the nearest Kenyan Mission or reach the State Department for Diaspora Affairs through its emergency hotline, WhatsApp line or official email.
Earlier in March 2026, the Government raised alarm over escalating insecurity in the Middle East, warning that the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million Kenyans in the region could be at risk.
Detailing her report before the National Assembly's Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee, PS Njogu, outlined mounting concerns stemming from renewed hostilities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, as well as growing cases of Kenyans in distress in Saudi Arabia and the Russian Federation.
PS Njogu painted a sobering picture of the regional security climate before the MPs.
“The Middle East is currently experiencing heightened tensions and instability arising from ongoing military exchanges and air strikes involving regional actors, namely the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel,” PS Njogu said.
“The escalation has increased security concerns across the Gulf region, leading to heightened alert levels, airspace disruptions, and precautionary security measures by several governments in the Gulf, especially after Iran bombed US military bases in neighbouring countries,” she said.
In her report, the PS said that the department estimates approximately 500,000 Kenyans reside and work across the Gulf and the surrounding Middle East region.
According to the PS’s report, the largest concentration is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with 300,000 nationals, followed by the State of Qatar with 70,000 and the United Arab Emirates with 60,000. Others are in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Iran, and Israel.
