President Ruto is facing criticism after condemning Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S. military bases in the Gulf countries. The retaliatory strikes comes after U.S.-Israel bombed Tehran that killed Iran Supreme Leader and other senior officials. Ruto’s critics say Kenya should remain neutral on the war going on in the Gulf countries, pointing out that Kenya has long maintained diplomatic ties beween both Iran and the United States, and warning that taking sides can weakened Kenyan on foreign policies.

🗣Kenya President, William Ruto, on March 3rd, 2026, publicly condemned Iran on the attacks on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, amid the escalation of war in the Gulf region. In a statement, President Ruto criticized and denounced Iran’s retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases located in those Gulf countries.

🗣However, Ruto remarks have drawn criticism from sections of Kenyan political and media circles. Critics argue that rather than focusing on the root causes of the conflict or advocating for a lasting diplomatic and peaceful resolution, President Ruto is taking sides.

🗣 Ruto critics also argues that, openly condemning Iran’s retaliatory response without addressing the initial U.S. military strikes, risks portraying Kenya as clearly aligning with western powers.

🗣 “Kenya has traditionally maintained a cordial relationship with both Iran and the United States, and we would like to keep it that way” one of President Ruto critics said.

🗣 On February 28, 2026, the United States and Isreal launched a series of airstrikes, targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, senior political and security officials, nuclear facilities, and missile launching sites.

🗣 In response, Iran military launched a retaliatory strikes against key U.S. military bases across the Gulf region.

🗣 Before the airstrike attacks, there was mediating peace discussion between the U.S. and Iran. Key Iran military officials reportedly expressed optimism that a peace agreement and resolution was within reach, following an indication that Iran was prepared to limit its nuclear material stockpile.The U.S. intelligence community report states that Iran was not developing a nuclear device, and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did not authorized a formal, organized nuclear program.

🗣 Despite the ongoing peace talks in Geneva, the U.S. and Isreal lauched a series of airstrikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, resulting in the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and senior officials.

🗣 The airstrikes on Iran by the U.S. and Isreal have significantly intensified the crisis across the Middle East, and constitute a clear violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.