Kenya has started the evacuation process for the Kenyan Citizens in Iran as the conflict in the Middle East escalates.
In a press statement dated March 21, by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, the government continues to monitor the situation.
“The Government of Kenya continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East and provide timely updates to Kenyans in the region and the public,” part of the statement read.
A multi-agency team under the Kenyan government has activated emergency protocols across the Kenya Missions in the region.
Additionally, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, working with the Kenyan Missions in Ankara and Tehran, has facilitated the evacuation of 15 Kenyans from Iran via Türkiye.
The 15 evacuees are expected to arrive in Kenya in the early hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Kenyan nationals have been advised to strictly follow guidance issued by Kenyan Embassies, host governments, and Kenyan official communication channels.
Moreover, the Kenyans in distress have been asked to contact the nearest Kenyan Mission or reach the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
Channels of communication provided for Kenyans included the Hotline: +254 207 876 000, WhatsApp: +254 114 757 002, and email: [email protected].
Iran’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, stated that Kenyans and other foreign nationals living in Iran could leave the country via open land borders.
He added that the Iranian government was coordinating with several ministries to assist foreigners seeking to leave the country.
“All the foreigners who are living in Iran can very easily, with the support of the relevant ministries, receive logistics to exit through the land corridors,” Ali Gholampour stated during an interview with Capital FM.
Action by the government to evacuate Kenyans in Iran
The Members of Parliament have been asked by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs to allocate Sh 400 million for Kenyans stranded in the Middle East following the escalating conflict.
According to the Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, among the 15 evacuees, five were children, two students, and Kenyan workers in Iran.
She added that no Kenyan has died as of now, as ambassadors keep negotiating with Russia on conscription of Kenyans in the Russia- Ukraine war.
More than 500,000 Kenyans work in the Middle East, and the war between Israel, the United States (US), and Iran has resulted in the request for evacuations by the Kenyans.
Also Read: Kenya’s Diaspora Remittances Drop to Ksh53 Billion in January
However, Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan disagreed with the Sh 400 million, stating that he needed to understand why the government is spending money to repatriate Kenyans who willingly joined the war.
Earlier in March 2026, the Government raised alarm over escalating insecurity in the Middle East.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, gave a detailed report before the National Assembly’s Diaspora Affairs and Migrant Workers Committee on the mounting concerns arising from hostilities between the Republic of Iran and Israel.
The report showed that 300,000 nationals were in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 70,000 in the State of Qatar, and 60,000 in the United Arab Emirates.
Other Kenyan citizens were in the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, Iran, and Israel.
Challenges Facing the State Department for Diaspora Affairs
Ambassador Gichuhi also added that the Department of Diaspora Affairs was facing challenges, including those related to human trafficking.
Human trafficking is manifesting in the form of global migration, the rise of nationalism, and unregulated recruitment in diaspora jobs, according to Gichuhi.
Also Read: How Middle East War is Pushing Oil Prices up and Is Hurting Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa Scholars
Advisory to Kenyans in the Middle East
The State Department of Diaspora Affairs issued an advisory to the Kenyans amid the ongoing conflict.
- Exercise extreme caution and avoid non-essential movement, especially near high-risk areas such as military facilities and crowded public spaces.
- Follow and comply with guidance issued by local security authorities.
- Remain alert and monitor official communication from host governments regarding travel and safety updates.
- Be aware of flight and airspace disruptions.
- Kenyans who have not registered with their local Embassy are advised to do so immediately to enable timely updates from the Missions and assistance during emergencies.
