Kenya has escalated its diplomatic protest against travel restrictions imposed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, summoning the two countries’ diplomatic representatives days after formally protesting the travel ban.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday summoned Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Kenya Saad Abdullah Al Nofaia and Kuwait Chargé d’Affaires Sami Talal Alenezi with Nairobi seeking an explanation, even as it called for the restrictions to be lifted.
The meeting followed a formal diplomatic protest lodged by Kenya through a Note Verbale on Friday, signalling growing concern within the government over the decision by the two Gulf countries to suspend arrivals from Kenya.
Foreign Affairs Director General for Diplomatic and Political Affairs Amb Josephat Maikara, conveyed Kenya’s objections to the restrictions. Maikara reaffirmed Kenya’s strong bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait but expressed concern over the suspension of arrivals.
“He further noted that, through prompt efforts, Kenya has successfully contained the outbreak, with no new cases reported since 19th October 2026. In light of this, the Director General indicated that Kenya requests a review and lifting of the restrictions,” the dispatch said.
This particularly given what Nairobi considers its compliance with health guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
In the October 30 communication, Nairobi argued that the blanket measures went beyond what the public health situation justified and could hurt Kenyan pilgrims, workers in the Kingdom, students, trade and tourism.
Kenya also invoked Regulation 43 of the International Health Regulations (2005), which requires countries introducing additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to provide the WHO with their public health rationale within 48 hours.
On that basis, the government called on the two countries to review their decisions and lift the restrictions, arguing that the prevailing health situation warranted a reconsideration of the suspensions.
He was accompanied by Deputy Director General for Africa Affairs Amb Dennis Mburu and Middle East Directorate Director Sora Katelo.
The two foreign envoys agreed to convey Kenya’s concerns to their respective governments and facilitate technical meetings between their health authorities and Kenya’s Ministry of Health.
However, neither Saudi Arabia nor Kuwait committed to immediately lifting the suspensions, with the communication indicating the envoys only undertook to relay Nairobi’s position and coordinate further discussions.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are important destinations for Kenyans travelling for employment, business and other purposes, making the restrictions a matter of concern for Nairobi’s diplomatic and economic relations with the two countries.
The suspension also raises questions about the impact on Kenyan workers seeking employment in the Gulf, where Saudi Arabia in particular has become a major destination for migrant labour from Kenya.
![Uhuru’s Sagana 3 meeting speech [transcribed in English]](https://thebrief.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Uhuru-Sagana.jpeg)
