NAIROBI, Kenya — Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could directly affect Kenya’s export performance, citing the region as a key market for the country’s agricultural and horticultural products.
In a statement on Saturday, Kinyanjui said Kenya maintains strong trade ties with several Middle Eastern countries, where exports of meat, vegetables, coffee, tea, and flowers dominate the trade basket.
“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East will have a direct impact on Kenya’s export basket. We enjoy thriving trade with Middle East countries, where supplies of meat, vegetables, coffee, tea, and flowers top the list,” he said.
Trade and Geopolitical Risks
Kinyanjui noted that in an increasingly interconnected global economy, disruptions in one region can quickly reverberate across distant markets.
“In a world increasingly dependent on one another, disruption to trade and travel can have far-reaching consequences, even in faraway lands,” he stated, adding that while Kenya hopes for a swift return to normalcy, geopolitics remains unpredictable.
The Middle East has historically been a significant destination for Kenya’s fresh produce and livestock exports, with air cargo routes playing a crucial role in sustaining the trade.
Any prolonged instability could affect supply chains, insurance costs, logistics routes, and demand patterns.
Push for Market Diversification
The CS said Kenya has deliberately pursued market diversification to reduce vulnerability to shocks in any single region.
“It is for this reason that Kenya has actively pursued market diversification to cushion against overreliance on any one region. Market diversification creates resilience and sustainability,” Kinyanjui said.
He added that the government is consulting with key stakeholders to safeguard Kenya’s trade position and establish alternative routes where necessary.
“The Government of Kenya is consulting with critical stakeholders to ensure that our trade position is not adversely affected and that alternative routes can be established to serve our markets in the interim,” he said.
Broader Economic Implications
Analysts note that beyond exports, conflict in the Middle East can influence fuel prices, shipping costs, and foreign exchange earnings, factors that directly affect Kenya’s balance of payments and inflation trends.
Kenya’s strategy of expanding access to markets in Africa, Europe, and Asia aligns with broader policy objectives under its trade and industrialisation agenda, aimed at strengthening economic resilience.
As diplomatic and security developments unfold, exporters and policymakers will be closely monitoring the situation to mitigate risks and sustain Kenya’s trade flows.
