Kenya Issues Urgent Advisory to Diplomats in Israel and Iran Amid Escalating Conflict
Quote from Lawyer on June 20, 2025, 7:00 amThe Kenyan government has issued an urgent directive instructing its diplomats in Israel and Iran to refrain from reporting to their offices due to escalating military tensions between the two nations. The advisory, announced by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, follows a series of airstrikes that have heightened security concerns in the region, particularly after a missile strike landed within several hundred meters of Kenya’s embassy in Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan area on June 19, 2025.
The directive comes as part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of Kenyan nationals and diplomatic staff amid the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen both countries engage in large-scale military operations since June 13, 2025. The Kenyan government has confirmed that all its diplomats in both Tel Aviv and Tehran are accounted for and safe, with embassy staff in Israel currently working remotely following the recent strike near their premises.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated significantly over the past week, with Israel launching “Operation Rising Lion,” a comprehensive airstrike campaign targeting over 100 Iranian military and nuclear facilities, including sites in Tehran, Isfahan, and Natanz. The operation, which began on June 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 224 individuals, including 20 senior Iranian military commanders, and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched “Operation True Promise III,” firing over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli military bases and airfields, leading to 22 casualties in Israel.
The ongoing hostilities have disrupted air travel, strained diplomatic relations, and triggered widespread security alerts across the globe. The Kenyan government’s advisory reflects growing international concern over the potential for further escalation, with several countries, including the United States, Italy, and Japan, initiating evacuation efforts for their nationals and diplomatic staff.
Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu emphasized the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Kenyans abroad. “The safety and well-being of Kenyans abroad remain our utmost priority as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve,” Njogu stated. She urged Kenyan nationals in Israel and Iran to exercise extreme caution, limit non-essential movement, stay indoors, and register with the nearest Kenyan mission to facilitate emergency support or evacuation if necessary.
Njogu also encouraged Kenyans to maintain regular contact with family members to update them on their safety and whereabouts.
“Contact our missions in Tel Aviv and Tehran if you require urgent assistance or are in distress,” she added. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has provided emergency contact numbers for Kenyans in need of support: +254 20 7876000 or +254 114 757002, and via email at Consular@diaspora.go.ke.
In Iran, the Kenyan Embassy in Tehran, located along Africa Avenue, can be reached at +98 21 88667394 or +98 21 88667368. Mr. Peter Kamau, a representative from the embassy, is also available at +98 996 387 0992, and the embassy’s email is tehran@mfa.go.ke.
Following the missile strike near Kenya’s embassy in Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei underscored the importance of protecting foreign diplomatic missions under international law. “These missions are inviolable and must be shielded from armed conflict,” Sing’oei stated, urging both Israel and Iran to ensure the safety of diplomatic premises. Kenya’s ambassador to Israel confirmed that, despite the proximity of the strike, all embassy staff are safe and have been operating remotely to minimize risks.
The Kenyan government has also called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, warning that further provocation could have dire consequences for regional and global stability. This stance aligns with statements from other African nations, such as Nigeria, which have urged de-escalation and dialogue, while countries like South Africa have condemned Israel’s strikes as violations of international law.
The escalating conflict has raised concerns about the safety of Kenyan nationals residing in Israel and Iran, as well as the potential economic repercussions for Kenya. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with global partners to ensure the safety of its citizens. The government has also issued a travel advisory, urging Kenyans to avoid non-essential travel to the region and to follow local authority instructions and media updates.
The conflict’s impact extends beyond immediate security concerns, with potential disruptions to global trade and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption, is at risk of closure, which could trigger a global oil shock and significantly raise energy prices. Kenya’s ports of Mombasa and Lamu, key entry points for goods destined for landlocked East African countries, are likely to face reduced traffic and increased shipping costs due to rerouting around Africa’s southern cape.
Kenya’s tea exports to Iran, valued at approximately Sh5.98 billion in 2023, are also at risk due to the ongoing conflict, which could further strain the country’s economy.
Kenya’s actions mirror those of other nations responding to the crisis. The United States has begun evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from its embassy in Israel, while Italy has facilitated the departure of some nationals from Iran via convoys to Azerbaijan and Turkey. Japan has deployed Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft to Djibouti to prepare for potential evacuations, and Cyprus is serving as a transfer point for third-country evacuees.
The African Union and several African nations have reiterated their commitment to peace and dialogue, with Egypt and Sudan engaging in diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis. However, the continent remains divided, with some countries maintaining neutrality to protect strategic ties with Israel, while others, like South Africa, have taken a stronger stance against Israel’s actions.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran shows no signs of abating, the Kenyan government remains vigilant, prioritizing the safety of its citizens and diplomatic staff. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has allocated Sh120 million to support potential evacuation efforts for Kenyans stranded abroad, reflecting the government’s proactive approach to the crisis.
Kenyans in Israel and Iran are urged to stay connected with their embassies, monitor local developments, and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with diplomatic efforts underway to broker a ceasefire and prevent further escalation.
For further updates, Kenyans are encouraged to follow official government channels and contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs or the Kenyan embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran for assistance.
The Kenyan government has issued an urgent directive instructing its diplomats in Israel and Iran to refrain from reporting to their offices due to escalating military tensions between the two nations. The advisory, announced by the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, follows a series of airstrikes that have heightened security concerns in the region, particularly after a missile strike landed within several hundred meters of Kenya’s embassy in Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan area on June 19, 2025.
The directive comes as part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of Kenyan nationals and diplomatic staff amid the intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran, which has seen both countries engage in large-scale military operations since June 13, 2025. The Kenyan government has confirmed that all its diplomats in both Tel Aviv and Tehran are accounted for and safe, with embassy staff in Israel currently working remotely following the recent strike near their premises.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated significantly over the past week, with Israel launching “Operation Rising Lion,” a comprehensive airstrike campaign targeting over 100 Iranian military and nuclear facilities, including sites in Tehran, Isfahan, and Natanz. The operation, which began on June 13, 2025, resulted in the deaths of at least 224 individuals, including 20 senior Iranian military commanders, and caused significant damage to critical infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched “Operation True Promise III,” firing over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli military bases and airfields, leading to 22 casualties in Israel.
The ongoing hostilities have disrupted air travel, strained diplomatic relations, and triggered widespread security alerts across the globe. The Kenyan government’s advisory reflects growing international concern over the potential for further escalation, with several countries, including the United States, Italy, and Japan, initiating evacuation efforts for their nationals and diplomatic staff.
Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu emphasized the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of Kenyans abroad. “The safety and well-being of Kenyans abroad remain our utmost priority as the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve,” Njogu stated. She urged Kenyan nationals in Israel and Iran to exercise extreme caution, limit non-essential movement, stay indoors, and register with the nearest Kenyan mission to facilitate emergency support or evacuation if necessary.
Njogu also encouraged Kenyans to maintain regular contact with family members to update them on their safety and whereabouts.
“Contact our missions in Tel Aviv and Tehran if you require urgent assistance or are in distress,” she added. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has provided emergency contact numbers for Kenyans in need of support: +254 20 7876000 or +254 114 757002, and via email at Consular@diaspora.go.ke.
In Iran, the Kenyan Embassy in Tehran, located along Africa Avenue, can be reached at +98 21 88667394 or +98 21 88667368. Mr. Peter Kamau, a representative from the embassy, is also available at +98 996 387 0992, and the embassy’s email is tehran@mfa.go.ke.
Following the missile strike near Kenya’s embassy in Tel Aviv, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei underscored the importance of protecting foreign diplomatic missions under international law. “These missions are inviolable and must be shielded from armed conflict,” Sing’oei stated, urging both Israel and Iran to ensure the safety of diplomatic premises. Kenya’s ambassador to Israel confirmed that, despite the proximity of the strike, all embassy staff are safe and have been operating remotely to minimize risks.
The Kenyan government has also called for restraint and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, warning that further provocation could have dire consequences for regional and global stability. This stance aligns with statements from other African nations, such as Nigeria, which have urged de-escalation and dialogue, while countries like South Africa have condemned Israel’s strikes as violations of international law.
The escalating conflict has raised concerns about the safety of Kenyan nationals residing in Israel and Iran, as well as the potential economic repercussions for Kenya. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with global partners to ensure the safety of its citizens. The government has also issued a travel advisory, urging Kenyans to avoid non-essential travel to the region and to follow local authority instructions and media updates.
The conflict’s impact extends beyond immediate security concerns, with potential disruptions to global trade and energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for 20% of the world’s daily oil consumption, is at risk of closure, which could trigger a global oil shock and significantly raise energy prices. Kenya’s ports of Mombasa and Lamu, key entry points for goods destined for landlocked East African countries, are likely to face reduced traffic and increased shipping costs due to rerouting around Africa’s southern cape.
Kenya’s tea exports to Iran, valued at approximately Sh5.98 billion in 2023, are also at risk due to the ongoing conflict, which could further strain the country’s economy.
Kenya’s actions mirror those of other nations responding to the crisis. The United States has begun evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from its embassy in Israel, while Italy has facilitated the departure of some nationals from Iran via convoys to Azerbaijan and Turkey. Japan has deployed Self-Defense Forces transport aircraft to Djibouti to prepare for potential evacuations, and Cyprus is serving as a transfer point for third-country evacuees.
The African Union and several African nations have reiterated their commitment to peace and dialogue, with Egypt and Sudan engaging in diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis. However, the continent remains divided, with some countries maintaining neutrality to protect strategic ties with Israel, while others, like South Africa, have taken a stronger stance against Israel’s actions.
As the conflict between Israel and Iran shows no signs of abating, the Kenyan government remains vigilant, prioritizing the safety of its citizens and diplomatic staff. The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has allocated Sh120 million to support potential evacuation efforts for Kenyans stranded abroad, reflecting the government’s proactive approach to the crisis.
Kenyans in Israel and Iran are urged to stay connected with their embassies, monitor local developments, and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The international community continues to watch the situation closely, with diplomatic efforts underway to broker a ceasefire and prevent further escalation.
For further updates, Kenyans are encouraged to follow official government channels and contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs or the Kenyan embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran for assistance.