Ruto Declares Kenya Stance On Iran's Drone Attack On Israel
The Head of State termed the development disturbing given the delicate situation in the Middle East, calling upon Israel to show restraint.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto has condemned Iran's decision to launch a swarm of explosive drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, April 13.
In a statement on X, the Head of State termed the development disturbing given the delicate situation in the Middle East.
"Kenya is deeply concerned by Iran's attack on the State of Israel. This disturbing development only serves to aggravate an already delicate situation in the Middle East.
President William Ruto with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem, Israel on May 9, 2023. /PCS
"The attack represents a real and present threat to international peace and security, contravenes the Charter of the United Nations and should be condemned by all peace-loving countries," he wrote in part.
The Head of State, on behalf of Kenya, called upon Israel to show restraint in terms of retaliating, warning that any response would trigger a situation that would be difficult to recover from.
"In responding to this act of aggression, Kenya urges Israel to show utmost restraint taking into account the urgent need for all parties to walk away from the brink beyond which recovery will be enormously difficult," he wrote.
Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory on Saturday, risking a major escalation as the United States (US) pledged "ironclad" backing for Israel.
Sirens wailed and Reuters journalists in Israel said they heard distant heavy thuds and bangs from what local media called aerial interceptions of explosive drones. Authorities said a seven-year-old girl was critically injured.
Israel's military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari revealed that Iran launched dozens of ground-to-ground missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted outside Israeli borders. According to the spokesperson, they included more than 10 cruise missiles.
The Iranian salvo amounted to more than 200 drones and missiles so far, Hagari said, and had caused light damage to one Israeli military facility.
The Israeli military said later that it was not advising any residents to prepare to take shelter, revising an earlier alert in what appeared to signal the end of the threat.
Israel's Channel 12 TV cited an unnamed Israeli official as saying there would be a "significant response" to the attack.
Iran had vowed retaliation for what it called an Israeli strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1 that killed seven Guards officers including two senior commanders and said its strike was a punishment for "Israeli crimes". Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the consulate attack.
"Should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran's response will be considerably more severe," the Iranian mission to the United Nations said, warning the U.S. to "stay away". However, it also said Iran now "deemed the matter concluded".
