Kenya has condemned a wave of Houthi rebel attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, which have reportedly killed 19 people and left 364 others injured.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi conveyed Nairobi’s solidarity with Riyadh during a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Elkhereiji, on Thursday, October 15.
According to a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Elkhereiji received a call from Mudavadi, during which Kenya expressed sympathy for the victims of the attacks.
Mudavadi also extended condolences to the families of those killed and the Saudi government and citizens, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The diplomatic engagement comes amid reports of intensified missile and drone attacks attributed to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, raising concerns about civilian safety and damage to critical infrastructure.
According to figures cited by the Saudi-led coalition, strikes targeting five airports across the Kingdom have resulted in 19 deaths and 364 injuries.
King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh has reportedly been among the facilities targeted, with repeated attacks disrupting aviation operations. Airports in Jeddah and Dammam have also experienced flight disruptions and cancellations.
The attacks have extended beyond transport infrastructure, with reports indicating that facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco, the state-owned energy giant, were also targeted, raising concerns about potential effects on global energy markets. The escalation threatens to complicate regional security efforts and undermine confidence in Saudi Arabia’s stability as a destination for international investment.
For Kenya, the situation carries economic implications because the country relies on Saudi Arabia for fuel imports under a government-to-government supply arrangement.
