CS Mudavadi condemns Red Sea attacks, assures Kenyans of stable fuel supply

In a statement issued on Friday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the attacks, coupled with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, pose a significant threat to international shipping and global supply chains.

"The attacks and the threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait could worsen the already dire situation by disrupting supply chains, particularly for oil and fertilizer, constraining international trade and driving up maritime insurance and freight costs," the statement read.

According to Mudavadi, the disruption is likely to increase import and production costs, resulting in heightened inflationary pressures in Kenya and across the region.

However, Mudavadi assured Kenyans that the government has put in place measures to cushion the country from potential fuel shortages and price shocks.

He said Kenya continues to implement strategic trade interventions, including the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel import framework with major international oil producers, particularly Saudi Arabia, to guarantee a steady supply of petroleum products.

The government noted that the arrangement is intended to protect the country against supply disruptions and sharp increases in fuel prices arising from the Middle East conflict, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the evolving security situation in the Red Sea.

He also condemned the attacks on commercial vessels, including Saudi Arabian oil tankers, and called for an immediate de-escalation of hostilities.

The CS urged all parties involved in the conflict to pursue a peaceful resolution in the interest of regional stability and international peace and security.

"The continued escalation of hostilities is deeply regrettable. Kenya urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and calls for sustained dialogue and greater consideration for the millions already affected by the crisis in the Middle East," the statement added.