The war, which has rapidly intensified across the Middle East, has unsettled global markets and raised concerns about the safety of thousands of Kenyans living and working in the region.
The situation has also forced the Kenyan government to carefully balance its diplomatic relations with different global and regional powers.
President William Ruto appeared to align Kenya with its long-standing allies, the United States and Israel, after condemning missile strikes carried out by Iran on several Gulf nations, including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.
However, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs later clarified that Kenya’s position was not meant to support any side but rather to call for restraint and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Despite the clarification, analysts say the optics of the president’s remarks may complicate Kenya’s diplomatic posture in the Middle East, where the country maintains strong labour, trade and diplomatic ties.
The crisis is already affecting Kenyan citizens abroad. According to Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, nearly 500,000 Kenyans currently live and work in the Middle East.
President William Ruto appeared to align Kenya with its long-standing allies, the United States and Israel, after condemning missile strikes carried out by Iran on several Gulf nations, including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.
However, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs later clarified that Kenya’s position was not meant to support any side but rather to call for restraint and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Despite the clarification, analysts say the optics of the president’s remarks may complicate Kenya’s diplomatic posture in the Middle East, where the country maintains strong labour, trade and diplomatic ties.
The crisis is already affecting Kenyan citizens abroad. According to Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, nearly 500,000 Kenyans currently live and work in the Middle East.
Of these, approximately 300,000 are based in Saudi Arabia, about 70,000 in Qatar, between 60,000 and 80,000 in the UAE, and around 4,000 to 5,000 in Oman. Smaller numbers are also located in Israel and Iran.
Njogu revealed that about 1,000 Kenyans are currently in Israel and roughly 100 in Iran, placing them directly in the path of the ongoing conflict.
“About 500,000 Kenyans are currently in the Middle East,” she said, noting that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
The Kenyan government has since issued a travel advisory urging citizens in affected regions to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary movement near sensitive locations.
Meanwhile, the conflict is already affecting Kenya’s economy. Global oil prices have surged by about 13 percent, rising from around KSh9,403 per barrel before the conflict to approximately KSh10,588 per barrel.
Njogu revealed that about 1,000 Kenyans are currently in Israel and roughly 100 in Iran, placing them directly in the path of the ongoing conflict.
“About 500,000 Kenyans are currently in the Middle East,” she said, noting that the government is closely monitoring the situation.
The Kenyan government has since issued a travel advisory urging citizens in affected regions to exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary movement near sensitive locations.
Meanwhile, the conflict is already affecting Kenya’s economy. Global oil prices have surged by about 13 percent, rising from around KSh9,403 per barrel before the conflict to approximately KSh10,588 per barrel.
The increase has sparked fears of another fuel-driven cost-of-living crisis similar to the one experienced during the Russia–Ukraine War.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi attempted to reassure the country that fuel supply remains stable.
“We have scheduled imports for delivery up to the end of April 2026. As it stands, we are assured of security of supply,” Wandayi said.
However, concerns remain about the long-term economic impact. John Mbadi, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, warned lawmakers that a prolonged conflict could significantly affect Kenya’s fragile economy.
“It is expected that the war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other side is likely to impact us massively if it continues,” Mbadi told members of Parliament.
Kenya also faces risks to remittances, a key source of foreign exchange, as thousands of Kenyans working in Gulf countries send money home to support families.
Trade routes may also be affected, especially if disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the government is working to diversify export markets to reduce reliance on any single region.
“While we hope for a speedy return to normalcy, geopolitics remains unpredictable. That is why Kenya is actively pursuing market diversification,” he said.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi attempted to reassure the country that fuel supply remains stable.
“We have scheduled imports for delivery up to the end of April 2026. As it stands, we are assured of security of supply,” Wandayi said.
However, concerns remain about the long-term economic impact. John Mbadi, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, warned lawmakers that a prolonged conflict could significantly affect Kenya’s fragile economy.
“It is expected that the war between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other side is likely to impact us massively if it continues,” Mbadi told members of Parliament.
Kenya also faces risks to remittances, a key source of foreign exchange, as thousands of Kenyans working in Gulf countries send money home to support families.
Trade routes may also be affected, especially if disruptions continue in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping channel through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the government is working to diversify export markets to reduce reliance on any single region.
“While we hope for a speedy return to normalcy, geopolitics remains unpredictable. That is why Kenya is actively pursuing market diversification,” he said.
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