Kenya’s attempt to maintain a delicate balance in the escalating Middle East conflict has been thrust into sharp focus after a rare public exchange between Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei and the Embassy of Iran in Kenya.
The public exchange on the X platform formerly Twitter was triggered by PS Sing’oei, when he announced his phone discussion with UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Energy and Sustainability Abdulla Balalaa.
The PS said Balalaa apprised him on the gravity of the situation in the region, and in particular the repercussions of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ “unjustified attacks of critical infrastructure of Gulf Cooperation Council countries”.
Sing’oei went on to say the attacks by Iran were have had not only civilian security effects, but also global economic and environmental security.
“I conveyed to him Kenya’s solidarity — in line with President Ruto’s well stated position on this matter — and assured him of our readiness to work with the UAE to respond through diplomatic means to this escalating situation,” he said in the statement.
Five says later, the Iranian embassy launched a five-point scathing rebuttal to the PS’s post, saying he, himself an international laws expert, “missed a few important chapters of international law”.
The mission said the aggression originated from the US and Israel, violating Article 2(4) of the UN charter against territorial integrity and that Iran’s response was lawful as part of legitimate self-defense.
The mission added that the Strait of Hormuz was open and the current disruption is a direct consequence of that aggression. In conclusion, the mission said Tehran expects all free and independent nations to stand on the right side of history and condemn the aggressors.
“We reaffirm our readiness for diplomatic solutions based on mutual respect and international law, but will not hesitate to defend our sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national security,” the mission said.
In a toned-down response, PS Sing’oei reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the UN Charter, and the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, self-defence and peaceful resolution to conflicts.
He, however, stood ground in calling for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, saying Kenya upholds that freedom of navigation in international waterways including the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global energy security and economy, is a cardinal principle of international law.
“Additionally, we should emphasize that Kenya remains non-aligned in the conflict — we prioritize Kenyan interests (energy security, trade, citizens in Gulf) and stand in solidarity with all States which have borne a huge toll as a consequences of this escalating conflict,” the PS said, even as e welcome the ceasefire that was declared Tuesday.
The unusually direct rebuttal by Iran’s mission challenging Kenya’s initial alignment with Gulf states and invoking international law appears to have prompted a swift recalibration by Nairobi.
Sing’oei reaffirmed that Kenya is “non-aligned” and is only prioritising national interests such as energy security, trade, and the safety of its citizens abroad.
The exchange not only exposes the pressures facing Nairobi as global rivalries spill into its foreign policy space, but also the Foreign Office communication and handling of the sensitive Middle East crisis.
It also places Kenya on the horns of a dilemma on how to navigate competing alliances in a conflict where Kenya has strategic ties on both sides.
President William Ruto had earlier condemned Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Gulf countries, warning that the widening conflict posed a “grave threat to international peace and security” while calling for renewed multilateral engagement.
His remarks were widely interpreted as leaning toward the position of Gulf allies and Western partners, particularly given Kenya’s deepening economic and strategic ties with countries such as the UAE. He did not condemn the initial aggression attacks by the US and Israel.
However, the government has since sought to soften that perception. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has stressed that Kenya “has not aligned with any party” and is instead advocating de-escalation, dialogue, and adherence to international law.
The Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil shipments, has emerged as a critical pressure point for Kenya’s economy. Disruptions linked to the conflict have already begun to ripple through the country, with fuel shortages reported at retail outlets and fears of a wider energy crisis.
The Middle East accounts for a significant share of Kenya’s energy imports and export markets, making the country particularly exposed to prolonged instability. A wider regional escalation could further slow economic growth across Africa, disrupt supply chains, and fuel inflationary pressures, according to recent international assessments.
Key export sectors are taking a hit. The tea industry, heavily reliant on Middle Eastern markets such as Iran, is facing mounting losses as shipping routes are disrupted, with millions of kilograms of produce stuck in warehouses and exporters losing millions of dollars weekly. This has extended to the meat and horticultural industry. The aviation industry has also been
But as the war’s economic and political aftershocks continue to spread, Kenya may find that maintaining the balance between principle, pragmatism, and pressure becomes increasingly difficult.
