President Ruto Speaks On Iranian Strikes On Gulf States As Regional Conflict Escalates
President William Ruto has issued a stern condemnation of the recent wave of Iranian military strikes targeting several Gulf nations, warning that the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East poses a “grave threat to international peace and security.” In a statement released on Monday, March 2, 2026, the Head of State reacted to a massive retaliatory barrage launched by Tehran following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory over the weekend. Singling out attacks on the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, the President emphasized that the regionalization of the conflict risks sabotaging global stability and called for an immediate return to multilateral diplomacy. “At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable frameworks for the resolution of the current crisis,” Ruto stated, urging an urgent de-escalation of hostilities.
The scale of the offensive, which began on Saturday, February 28, has seen hundreds of missiles and drones targeting multiple Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, disrupting major global hubs and causing casualties. In the UAE, the Ministry of Defense reported the launch of 165 ballistic missiles and over 540 drones; while most were intercepted, impacts were recorded at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport. In Kuwait, authorities reported the interception of nearly 400 projectiles over a two-day period, though tragic reports confirmed that three U.S. service members were killed following an impact at the Camp Arifjan military facility. Meanwhile, Bahrain reported a significant blaze at the Salman Port U.S. naval base, and Qatar confirmed missile impacts within industrial zones in Doha.
READ ALSO; Eric Omondi Kicks Offf 366-Kilometer Trek To Busia Border For Charity
This volatility is of particular concern to Nairobi given the massive Kenyan workforce currently stationed in the region. According to the latest data from Diaspora Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu, over 400,000 Kenyans are living and working across the Gulf. In response to the escalating violence, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs issued an emergency travel and safety advisory on the evening of Saturday, February 28. PS Njogu has urged all Kenyans in the affected regions to remain vigilant and immediately register with the nearest Kenyan Embassy or Consulate. Furthermore, citizens are advised to update their next-of-kin details via the official diaspora website as the government closely monitors the “fluid and unpredictable” situation to ensure the safety of its nationals abroad.
