Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States Navy is prepared to escort oil tankers through the volatile Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions with Iran.
The move comes as global oil prices surge and maritime shipping routes face disruption. In Kenya, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi says current fuel stocks are sufficient — but only up to April — placing the country on high alert as Middle East instability threatens supply chains.
Naval Protection Plan Amid Rising Gulf Tensions
WASHINGTON – Global energy markets are bracing for prolonged volatility after President Donald Trump signalled Washington’s readiness to directly secure oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on Tuesday, Trump said the U.S. Navy would escort oil tankers navigating the strategic waterway if security risks persist, aiming to guarantee uninterrupted global energy flows.
The directive follows intensifying hostilities in the Gulf region that have disrupted maritime shipping routes and heightened fears of supply interruptions.
Trump further ordered the United States International Development Finance Corporation to extend political risk insurance and financial guarantees to vessels operating in the Persian Gulf.
The initiative is intended to cushion traders against losses resulting from attacks or instability along critical shipping corridors.
He emphasised that the United States would act to protect what he described as the “free flow of energy to the world.”
Oil Markets React Sharply
Energy markets responded immediately to the developments.
Benchmark Brent crude rose by approximately Sh473 (USD3.66), marking a 4.7 pc increase to settle at around Sh10,516 (USD81.40) per barrel — the highest level recorded since early 2025.
European natural gas markets experienced dramatic swings, with prices surging by as much as 40 pc at one stage before easing later in the trading session.
Tanker slowdowns and reported disruptions in production across major Gulf producers such as Qatar and Iraq have intensified concerns about long-term supply stability.
Analysts warn that continued uncertainty in the Middle East could trigger further spikes in global energy futures, amplifying pressure on import-dependent economies.
Kenya’s Fuel Position and Economic Risk
In Nairobi, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi sought to reassure the public, confirming that Kenya currently holds sufficient petroleum reserves to avoid an immediate shortage.
However, he cautioned that the existing stocks can only sustain the country up to April under current demand levels.
For Kenya — which depends heavily on oil imports routed through Middle East shipping lanes — prolonged instability could translate into higher import costs, increased pump prices, and mounting pressure on transport, manufacturing, and overall inflation.
While President Trump expressed optimism that global fuel prices could fall once tensions ease, he indicated that further policy measures may follow depending on how the security situation evolves.
For now, Kenya and other import-reliant economies remain watchful — aware that a narrow strait thousands of kilometres away can have immediate consequences at the pump.
