NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya has expressed concern over escalating insecurity in the Red Sea and threats to shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, warning that continued attacks on commercial vessels could disrupt global supply chains, increase fuel prices and heighten inflationary pressures in the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the government was closely monitoring attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial ships, including Saudi Arabian oil tankers, and threats to blockade the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Mudavadi said the developments, coming amid the wider Middle East crisis and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pose significant risks to international trade and maritime security.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya notes with concern the attacks by Houthis on commercial vessels, including Saudi Arabia oil tankers, along the Red Sea, and the threats to blockade the Bab al-Mandab Strait,” the statement said.
According to the government, any prolonged disruption to navigation through the Red Sea could interrupt the movement of oil, fertiliser and other essential commodities, increase maritime insurance and freight costs, and ultimately raise import and production costs across the region.
The government warned that such developments could intensify inflationary pressures in Kenya and other countries that rely on the route for international trade.
To cushion the country against possible supply disruptions, Mudavadi said Kenya has strengthened strategic trade measures, including the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel import arrangement with major international oil producers, particularly Saudi Arabia.
The initiative, he said, is intended to safeguard the country’s fuel supply and reduce the impact of potential price spikes resulting from the conflict in the Middle East and disruptions to key global shipping lanes.
Kenya also condemned the attacks on commercial shipping and called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities, urging all parties involved to pursue peaceful dialogue in the interest of regional and global stability.
The government appealed to regional and international partners to intensify diplomatic and multilateral efforts aimed at protecting freedom of navigation and maintaining maritime security in one of the world’s busiest trade corridors.
“Kenya calls upon regional and international partners to pursue coordinated collective action towards peaceful resolution of the crisis. We recommend full use of available diplomatic and multilateral mechanisms to intervene and enhance the freedom of navigation and maintain maritime security,” the statement said.
Mudavadi further described the continued escalation of hostilities as deeply regrettable and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint while prioritising dialogue to ease tensions and address the humanitarian consequences of the conflict affecting millions of people across the Middle East.