The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has launched an immediate evacuation exercise for Kenyan nationals residing in Israel and Iran as hostilities between the two countries escalate to alarming levels.

In a statement issued on Saturday, June 21, the department urged all Kenyans living in the two Middle Eastern nations to register for evacuation.

This directive follows a travel advisory issued earlier in the week, warning of worsening insecurity in the region.

Tensions between Israel and Iran have dramatically intensified since June 13, with both sides engaging in extensive military offensives targeting key installations.

“To safeguard your wellbeing and enable swift assistance in the event of an emergency, we ask that you register your information with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs,” read part of the statement.

Kenyans are required to provide personal details including their full name, contact information, passport and ID numbers, current residential address, medical history, location data, and next of kin contacts.

Registration can be completed via an online form shared through the department’s official link or by scanning a QR code available on its social media platforms.

This development follows comments made by Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu on Thursday, confirming that the government was finalizing evacuation plans.

However, she emphasized that only Kenyans who register with Kenyan embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv will be included in the evacuation process.

On Wednesday, PS Njogu had already issued a cautionary notice to Kenyan citizens in the region, advising them to limit movement and avoid high-risk areas.

She further recommended staying informed through local media and heeding directives from local authorities.

"Ensure you’ve registered with the nearest Kenyan mission if you haven’t already. Doing so allows us to reach you quickly should evacuation or assistance be necessary. Stay in touch with your loved ones and keep them updated on your status," Njogu advised.

She reassured that the government continues to closely monitor the unfolding situation and remains dedicated to protecting Kenyan citizens abroad.

The second week of conflict has seen a surge in aerial bombardments, following the breakdown of diplomatic initiatives aimed at quelling the violence.

High-level discussions between European foreign ministers and Iran’s top diplomat in Geneva on Friday lasted over four hours but yielded no breakthrough.

Despite growing international concern and calls for restraint, Israel and Iran have pressed on with their military campaigns.

The conflict, sparked by a series of provocations and retaliatory strikes, has heightened fears for the safety of critical infrastructure, including Iran’s nuclear facilities.

In Washington, former U.S. President Donald Trump has been cautious about the level of American involvement as global powers continue to urge de-escalation.

Security experts warn that any attacks targeting nuclear assets could trigger a broader regional crisis, possibly drawing in militant groups like Hezbollah and U.S. allies across the Gulf.

The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session to address the crisis, though diplomatic options remain limited as both nations show little inclination to retreat.