"Start preparing": Mudavadi warns Kenyans to brace for tougher times ahead

Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi warned Kenyans to prepare for tougher economic times, blaming persistent global crises for piling pressure on the economy. Mudavadi cautioned that Kenya could face higher fuel prices, transport costs and inflation within the next three to four months He noted that disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz could affect Kenya’s fuel and cooking gas imports, worsening the cost of living for families. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has issued a stark warning to Kenyans amid ongoing tough times. Musalia, who doubles up as the Foreign & Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, urged Kenyans to steel themselves for deeper economic hardship. Why has Mudavadi warned Kenyans about tough times? According to the Prime CS, the hard times are majorly driven by a relentless wave of global shocks that shows no sign of easing anytime soon. During the closing ceremony of the inaugural Science, Technology, Research and Innovation (STRI) for Society Week at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, Mudavadi said the ongoing crises in different parts of the world were already piling pressure on Kenya’s economy. He said the world was no longer operating under normal conditions following a series of global disruptions that began with the COVID-19 pandemic before being worsened by the Russia-Ukraine war and the latest conflict in the Middle East. "In the last few years, the world has seen a number of global shocks. First, conflict at the beginning, then another shock with impacts and implications filtering through global economies and forcing realignment of funding by various countries to critical institutions, whether multilateral or those involved in aspects of research like yourselves. More recently, up to now, we are still experiencing the Middle East crisis," Mudavadi stated. Mudavadi cautioned that the effects of the Middle East crisis, particularly on global fuel supply chains, would soon be felt more sharply in countries such as Kenya. "That is perhaps the third successive global shock to humanity. One thing that comes out is that we as a nation and as a people must realize that it cannot be business as usual. The reality is that the speed and flexibility with which innovative ways are developed to accelerate the delivery of your innovations are critical," Mudavadi said. He warned that even if the fighting in the Middle East stopped immediately, the economic consequences would continue to linger for months due to disruptions in the global energy supply chain. "The impact of that crisis is going to linger with us for much longer than we imagine. We need to brace ourselves and start looking at how to manage some of the challenges ahead of us," he said. Mudavadi explained that the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route for oil and gas exports from the Middle East, remains critical to Kenya’s fuel imports and energy security. According to him, any disruption in the route directly affects countries that rely on imported fuel and gas, including Kenya. He noted that Kenya’s primary source of cooking gas comes from Qatar, which depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for exports. "Qatar has no other outlet to evacuate gas. It is only through the Strait of Hormuz. So what does this mean for the dining table for families? It is going to have implications," the Prime CS observed. The Prime CS pointed out how economies had been battered multiple times. The Prime Cabinet Secretary said rising fuel prices would likely trigger higher transport costs, increased production expenses and further inflation, piling more pressure on the common mwananchi and businesses. He warned that the economic strain could intensify within the next three to four months, urging citizens to prepare psychologically for difficult times ahead. "Even if the war stops, the impact is still going to be there. We are likely to feel more pressure, perhaps even within the next three to four months, within the economy. And I speak because it is important we communicate this to the people and start preparing ourselves psychologically for more difficult times," he added. Mudavadi urged Kenyans to avoid blame games and instead work together in finding sustainable solutions to the country’s challenges. As earlier reported, President William Ruto appealed for calm and unity as Kenyans continue grappling with the impact of rising fuel prices and the soaring cost of living. The president assured citizens that the government was working to stabilise fuel supply and cushion vulnerable groups from the effects of the crisis. Drawing parallels with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, drought and terrorism, he urged Kenyans to remain patient and united, insisting the current situation was temporary.