Kenyans caught in the crossfire of US-Iran war
National
By
Jacinta Mutura
| Mar 02, 2026
Mourners gather with Iranian national flags for a memorial vigil, a day after the assassination of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei in joint US and Israeli strikes, in Tehran on March 1, 2026. [AFP]
Hundreds of thousands of Kenyans working and living in the Middle East have been caught up in the war between the United States and Iran.
As attacks and security alerts intensify and flights suspended, migrant workers and their families back home are facing uncertainty over their safety.
Judy Wairimu, a Kenyan working in Bahrain, said she is fearing for her life having witnessed missiles destroying buildings in the country.
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“We are not safe. There is so much tension and sadly we cannot leave because the airspace has been closed,” Wairimu told The Standard on phone.
She said they had been advised to stay indoors and avoid areas that can be targeted.
“The bombings are happening after every two hours. They hit as soon as the government issues security alerts,” she added.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued advisories urging citizens to remain vigilant and to register with embassies.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged Kenyans living or travelling through the Middle East to take precautionary measures and register with embassies.
Mudavadi urged Kenyans in Iran, Israel, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and surrounding areas to avoid non-essential travel, 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,” Mudavadi said.
Hundreds of thousands of Kenyans live and work in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Airlines have suspended flights across parts of the Gulf following closure airspaces.
Kenyans in diaspora send home billions of shillings in remittances, with Middle East countries accounting for significant share.
“Every time they send a security alert, we hold our breath waiting to see what will happen because the alerts and the attacks are happening in quick succession,” said Wairimu.
Lucy Nguru, a Kenya working in the hospitality sector in Qatar said the government has been issuing frequent security and emergency notices.
She told The Standard that they have been advised to stay indoors and not go near easy targets such a military bases and airports.
“We have been advised to stay at home until normalcy resumes. We have been told to stay indoors,” she said.
Nguru said she had heard three explosions since the attacks started on Saturday.
“One hit around 5pm, another on at 11pm ad another one hit on Sunday at about 8am. They shake the buildings but we’re told many are being intercepted,” she said.
Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu said the government had activated the 24-hour Diaspora Emergency Hotline and urged those in distress to contact the nearest Kenyan Embassy or consulate.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi appealed the government to evacuate all Kenyans stranded in the Middle East.
While addressing a church congregation in Nyandarua, Muturi said an estimated 500,000 Kenyans living and working in the conflict-prone region are facing danger.
He condemned the government’s labour export strategy as reckless and dangerously shortsighted, arguing that it has exposed vulnerable Kenyans to grave risks without sufficient protection mechanisms.
“It would be a national disgrace to receive our people in body bags because we failed to create jobs at home,” Muturi said.