KENYA BEGINS EVACUATION OF CITIZENS FROM IRAN

The first group of Kenyan evacuees from Iran landed safely at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA) on June 29, 2025. In a statement issued on June 30, 2025, by the Principal Secretary of Kenya’s State Department of Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu, confirmed the group’s safe arrival. The Kenyan government continued its evacuation efforts, with a dedicated multi agency team in Nairobi working tirelessly to ensure all citizens stranded in Iran return home safely. The PS expressed appreciation for the teams involved in the operation. The exact number of Kenyans still awaiting evacuation remains undisclosed but officials confirmed that repatriation efforts will persist in the coming days.

 On June 21, 2025, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs urged Kenyans in Iran and Israel to register their details to facilitate efficient support during evacuation. The directive followed a safety advisory issued on June 18, urging Kenyan nationals in Iran and Israel to exercise caution amid escalating tensions between the two nations after Israeli airstrikes triggered a swift retaliatory missile response from Tehran. Citizens were advised to limit unnecessary travel, stay updated through local news, and follow instructions from local authorities. The flare up which lasted nearly two weeks, heightened fears of a boarder regional escalation and forced multiple countries to activate contingency plans for their nationals.