A Kenyan national living in Qatar has recorded a moment many only ever see in war films-a barrage of Iranian missiles lighting up the night sky, reportedly aimed at U.S. military bases.
The video, which has since gone viral across Kenyan social media, shows what appear to be glowing projectiles streaking through the sky. The man behind the camera is heard expressing disbelief. “Hizi naonanga kwa movie tu, kumbe war is war,” he says, which loosely translates to, “I only see these things in movies, but this is real war.”
The man filmed the scene from what appeared to be a residential area in Qatar, far from the immediate target zone but close enough to see the missiles in flight.
Though the clip doesn’t show impact or damage, it quickly raised concern among Kenyans with loved ones in the Middle East. “Hapa ndio unaskianga ku-pooh pooh,” one user joked in the comments, referencing the kind of fear only war can stir.
So far, there has been no official confirmation from Qatari authorities or the U.S. military on whether the strikes hit their targets or caused any casualties. The Pentagon has not released a statement on the incident at the time of publication.
The rising tension between Iran and the United States has been a source of global anxiety in recent months. With Qatar hosting major U.S. military installations, including Al Udeid Air Base, it remains a potential flashpoint in any escalation.
Security experts warn that such incidents could drag uninvolved nations into broader regional conflicts. “These tensions have ripple effects,” said one international affairs analyst who asked not to be named. “It puts not just military personnel but also civilians-like migrant workers from Kenya and elsewhere-at risk.”
Kenya has thousands of its citizens working across Gulf states, many of them in Qatar. The video has sparked fresh conversations on their safety and whether enough is being done to keep them informed and protected in times of crisis.
For now, most reactions remain light-hearted-perhaps a way to mask the fear. “Itabidi ume retaliate,” another user commented, a tongue-in-cheek remark that mirrors how surreal the experience felt to those watching from the ground.
But behind the jokes lies a deeper unease. As one commenter put it, “Mkumbuke tumebakisha super moja…”-a local way of saying: Let’s not forget, we only have one supermarket left, a humorous nod to how fragile life can feel when war gets too close.
