Kenya Condemns Iran Strikes, Ruto Warns of Global Security Threat

Kenya has condemned recent Iranian missile and drone strikes on Gulf states, with President William Ruto warning that the widening conflict threatens international peace and security.

In a statement issued on Monday, President Ruto cautioned that the growing regional scope of the confrontation could undermine global stability. He urged all parties to recommit to multilateral diplomacy and established international mechanisms to prevent further escalation.

The violence intensified on Saturday when Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council in response to United States and Israeli strikes on its territory. Targets included the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, as well as Iraq and Jordan. Several high-profile locations were struck despite air defence interceptions.

Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City sustained damage, along with United States military installations and commercial districts. Three American service members were killed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, while authorities in Bahrain reported a fire at a US naval base.

Kenya’s concerns are heightened by the large number of its citizens living and working in the Gulf. According to Diaspora Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, more than 400,000 Kenyans are based in the region. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has issued a travel advisory urging citizens in affected countries to register with Kenyan missions and update their next-of-kin details, noting that the situation remains unpredictable.

President Ruto stressed that longstanding multilateral institutions are essential in addressing crises of this scale. He called for urgent engagement among governments and other stakeholders to reduce tensions and restore stability.
Iran’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, said relations between Nairobi and Tehran remain stable.

He argued that all states bound by the United Nations Charter share responsibility for urging the United States and Israel to avoid further confrontation. He added that trade between Kenya and Iran has been affected by US sanctions, particularly in the banking sector.