Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has warned that the escalating security crisis in the Red Sea could disrupt global trade, drive up fuel prices and increase inflationary pressure on Kenya.
In a statement on Friday, Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, voiced concern over Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, including Saudi oil tankers, and threats to blockade the Bab el‑Mandeb Strait.
"The Government of the Republic of Kenya notes with concern the attacks by Houthis on commercial vessels, including Saudi Arabian oil tankers, along the Red Sea, and the threats to blockade the Bab el-Mandeb Strait," he said.
Mudavadi warned that the attacks, coupled with the ongoing Middle East conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, could worsen disruptions to global supply chains.
He said the crisis "could worsen the already dire situation by disrupting supply chains, particularly for oil and fertiliser, constraining international trade, and driving up maritime insurance and freight costs," adding that the resulting increase in import and production costs "is expected to heighten inflationary pressures in Kenya and the wider region."
The Prime Cabinet Secretary, however, assured Kenyans that the government was taking steps to mitigate the impact of the crisis.
"The Kenyan Government assures its citizens that it continues to advance strategic trade measures, including the Government-to-Government (G -to -G) fuel import framework with major international oil producers, notably Saudi Arabia, to safeguard the country against oil supply disruptions and sharp increases in petroleum prices," he said.
Mudavadi condemned the attacks on commercial shipping and urged an end to the violence.
Kenya also appealed to regional and international partners to intensify coordinated diplomatic and multilateral efforts to safeguard freedom of navigation and maintain maritime security along the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
"The continued escalation of hostilities is deeply regrettable," Mudavadi said, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and prioritise dialogue while considering the humanitarian impact of the conflict on millions of people affected across the Middle East.
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