Kenya has raised concerns about oil prices in the near future owing to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, while acknowledging the worrying developments in the Middle East communicated that Kenya has expressed its worry on how the ongoing war would affect the global oil prices and the economies of East African countries.
“Kenya is also concerned about the detrimental effect that these developments will have on global oil prices and the economies of countries in the East African region,” Mudavadi said in a statement.
The Prime CS also raised concerns over the safety of Kenyans in the diaspora at the time of the war.
PCS Musalia Mudavadi during the Western Kenya Edition of the Diaspora Job Fair In Vihiga, 29, August 2024.
Photo
Musalia Mudavadi
“Kenya’s concerns at this time are, first and foremost, with the Kenyan diaspora in Israel, Iran, Lebanon, and across the Middle East.”
The war in the Middle East appears to be widening, almost one year after Hamas launched its attack on Israel. Recently, Iran launched a major missile strike that targeted sites across Israel, while Israel’s air defenses attempted to shoot down the incoming fire.
Israeli units initiated ground raids into Lebanon on Tuesday, as Hezbollah fired missiles at Tel Aviv.
Last year, when the country experienced a steep rise in oil prices, President William Ruto blamed the hike on among many factors including the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
During a media roundtable from State House Nairobi in December, Ruto told journalists that he assumed office at a time when Kenya was in a serious economic situation exacerbated by many factors including the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In the last review, the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) retained the same prices with Super petrol retailing at Ksh188.84, Diesel at Ksh171.60 and Kerosene at Ksh161.7.
In the August brief, EPRA communicated that the average landed cost of imported super petrol decreased by 1.06 percent July 2024 leading to the decision to maintain prices.
Meanwhile, owing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called upon Kenyans in the affected areas to register for evacuation.
“All Kenyans in the Middle East are strongly encouraged to register their presence in the region the respective Kenyan Diplomatic Missions or through the established Diaspora hotlines”. The statement read.
Kenya has called upon the countries in the Middle East to exercise the highest retain to prevent the conflict from escalating.
“Amid escalating tensions in the region, Kenya calls on all parties and their supporters to exercise the highest restrain towards the prevention of escalation of the conflict “.
A photo of a collapsed building following an attack by Israeli Forces in Gaza City.
Photo
Hatem Moussa / AP
