The global ripple effects of Operation Epic Fury—the US-Israeli offensive inside Iran—have reached Nairobi. On Monday morning, March 2, 2026, President William Ruto issued a stern warning, condemning the retaliatory strikes launched by Iran against several Gulf nations over the weekend.
The President’s remarks come as the Middle East descends into what many are calling the most serious escalation in modern history.
The “Multilateral” Ultimatum
President Ruto emphasized that the targeting of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain is an unacceptable expansion of the original theater of war.
“At this defining and perilous moment in global history, longstanding multilateral institutions remain indispensable frameworks for the resolution of the current crisis,” President Ruto stated. “Kenya calls for urgent multi-stakeholder engagement toward de-escalation.”
The Head of State warned that if the conflict continues to spread, it will destabilize not only the Middle East but also the fragile international economic order.
The Ground Reality: “Not the Dubai We Know”
The President’s condemnation follows a weekend of chaos in the Gulf. After the death of Ayatollah Khamenei was confirmed on Sunday, Iran launched a massive barrage of 137 missiles and 209 drones at the UAE alone.
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Casualties: At least two people were killed in Abu Dhabi, including a Pakistani civilian.
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The Palm Strike: Witnesses in Dubai reported explosions and smoke rising from the iconic Palm Jumeirah island after falling debris from intercepted missiles hit the area.
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Flight Groundings: In the biggest disruption since the pandemic, thousands of flights have been cancelled. Kenya Airways has officially suspended all services to Dubai and Sharjah until further notice.
Kenyans Abroad: 400,000 Lives on High Alert
For Kenya, this is not just a foreign policy issue—it is a humanitarian concern. There are over 416,000 Kenyans currently working in the Gulf region.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a high-level safety advisory, urging citizens to:
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Exercise Extreme Caution: Avoid all non-essential movement, especially near military facilities.
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Register Immediately: Kenyans are urged to sign up with local embassies in Tehran, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Riyadh for emergency updates.
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Monitor Local Security: Follow all host-country instructions as airspaces remain partially closed.
Economic Fallout: Tea, Fuel, and Inflation
The war is already impacting the Kenyan pocket.
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Tea Exports: Kenya’s premium tea and coffee exports to the Gulf are currently stranded due to shipping and air cargo suspensions.
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Fuel Surge: With Iran moving to close the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have spiked. The Treasury has warned that Kenyan fuel prices could see a significant jump by mid-March, feeding directly into higher food and transport costs.
- Feature,Status
- Iran Leadership,Interim Council formed following Khamenei’s death.
- Regional Strikes,”UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia report drone/missile intercepts.”
- Kenya Airways,Dubai & Sharjah flights suspended indefinitely.
- Travel Advice,”””Extreme Caution”” for Kenyans in the Arabian Peninsula.”
