Kenya considers military escorts for export ships bound for Middle East

by Frankline Oduor Thursday March 26, 2026

Kenya Navy officers conducting a joint maritime operation in the Western Indian Ocean, March 18, 2025. Photo KDF

As fighting in the Middle East continues to unsettle major sea lanes, the government is weighing a tougher response: using military-supported maritime security to protect Kenyan exports bound for the region.

Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana said in an interview on NTV on Tuesday that the State is considering special escort arrangements for cargo vessels transiting waters now viewed as high risk.

The idea is gaining urgency after sustained appeals from exporters and industry associations, who say the prolonged instability has increasingly complicated access to one of Kenya’s most profitable overseas markets.

Mukhwana pointed to moves by other nations that have turned to naval or security escorts to shield commercial ships through disputed maritime corridors that serve Middle East trade.

He said Kenya could also explore coordinated shipping, where exporters pool consignments headed for destinations such as Jeddah, then pursue secure passage through a government-backed system.

“We need to work with the Chamber. For us to do consolidated cargo, maybe to Jeddah, we would ask the Chamber to come to us with the consignment, and we can see the modalities to help them reach their destinations,” he said.

While escorts are under consideration, Mukhwana acknowledged that practical hurdles remain—among them the absence of a national shipping line and the elevated insurance exposure that comes with sailing through volatile routes.

“In response to your concerns, remember that we do not have a shipping line of our own, and the issue of insurance is also there. But with other countries escorting their ships, we should also be able to do that,” Mukhwana stated.

He also outlined a possible hybrid model, in which vessels could be protected as far as safer areas such as the Red Sea, after which cargo could shift to alternative options including air transport or redistribution through regional freight networks.

What It Would Take

Any escort mission would likely place the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Navy at the centre of operations, coordinating with international maritime security coalitions, port authorities and private shipping companies to map safer transit and manage scheduling.

Officials would also need to work closely with the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), insurers, diplomatic channels and regional partners to obtain clearances, exchange intelligence and navigate the legal and operational complexities that come with military-backed protection in international waters.

Exporters Concerns

The government’s discussions come as exporters warn the disruption is already inflicting heavy losses and could put thousands of jobs at risk across the export-and-import value chain.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry says export volumes to the Gulf have fallen sharply, squeezing a market that has historically taken in significant shipments of Kenyan fresh produce and other goods. 

Chamber President Eric Ruto said exporters are now losing between Ksh800 million and Ksh1.2 billion every week, and cautioned that some firms may be forced to cut operations or lay off workers if the situation persists.