Kenya Considers Using KDF to Escort Ships to the Middle East
Exporters say they are now losing between Ksh800 million and Ksh1.2 billion weekly, with some businesses facing the prospect of scaling down operations or laying off workers...
✨ Key Highlights
The Kenyan government is considering military escorts for ships exporting goods to the Middle East due to ongoing conflict disrupting trade routes.
- The country is exploring the deployment of special escorts for cargo vessels navigating high-risk maritime zones.
- This initiative is driven by industry pressure, with exporters facing significant losses, estimated between Ksh800 million and Ksh1.2 billion weekly.
- Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana stated that Kenya would coordinate with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for consolidated cargo shipments.
- Challenges such as the lack of a national shipping line and high insurance risks are complicating the plan, which could involve the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Navy.
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