NAIROBI, Kenya — Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has convened an urgent meeting with oil marketing companies to assess Kenya’s fuel supply outlook following escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The meeting comes after earlier discussions between government officials and companies supplying fuel to Kenya under the government-to-government import arrangement.
Speaking during the official listing of Kenya Pipeline Company on the Nairobi Securities Exchange on Tuesday, Wandayi said the government is working to ensure the country maintains adequate fuel stocks despite rising global uncertainty.
“We continue to engage very closely with our government-to-government suppliers, that is Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), in terms of contingency planning,” Wandayi said.
“For that reason, there is really no cause for alarm. In the short to medium term, we have security of supply, and we continue to monitor the situation very closely.”
Global Supply Concerns
The government’s move follows developments in the Gulf region after Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping routes.
The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and is used to transport roughly 21 per cent of global oil supplies, making it one of the most strategically important oil transit points worldwide.
Any disruption to shipments through the strait can significantly affect international oil prices and supply chains.
Energy analysts say tensions in the region have already raised concerns about potential supply shocks that could ripple through global markets, including Africa.
Kenya Monitoring Fuel Shipments
Kenya is currently tracking a fuel tanker travelling from the Middle East through the Red Sea, which is part of the country’s regular supply route for petroleum imports.
Officials say maintaining close coordination with suppliers is essential to prevent any disruptions to domestic fuel availability.
The government-to-government fuel supply programme introduced in recent years allows Kenya to secure petroleum products directly from major producers in the Gulf, reducing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and stabilising supply.
Possible Price Adjustments
The developments come just days before the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announces new pump prices expected on March 14.
While officials maintain that Kenya’s short- and medium-term fuel supply remains secure, analysts say global market volatility could still influence local fuel prices if geopolitical tensions persist.
Several countries, including South Africa, are already preparing for possible increases in fuel costs as governments monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East
