Summary
- Motorists report fuel shortages and prices hitting Sh200 per litre
- Several petrol stations closed or rationing fuel across counties
- Government insists supply is stable despite hoarding claims
NAIROBI, Kenya- A fuel shortage is unfolding across parts of Kenya, with petrol stations running dry, prices spiking to Sh200 per litre, and motorists forced into long queues.
The situation comes despite government assurances that the country has enough fuel reserves to last at least two weeks.
How fuel shortage is hitting motorists across major towns
Motorists in Nairobi reported struggling to find fuel on Friday morning.
Some stations had no supply, while others hiked prices far above the official cap set by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
EPRA’s latest pricing, announced on March 14, placed Super Petrol at Sh178.28 and Diesel at Sh166.54 per litre.
But on the ground, drivers say they are paying as much as Sh200.
“We have had to queue for a while… they are now charging Sh200,” one motorist said.
The crisis is more severe in Mombasa and Kakamega, where several stations have shut down or run out of fuel completely.
Hoarding claims emerge as retailers blame oil marketers
Fuel retailers are now accusing major oil marketers of hoarding supplies in anticipation of higher prices.
In Mombasa, long queues have formed as motorists scramble for limited fuel.
Some stations have introduced caps on how much each driver can purchase.
“Finding fuel has become a big problem,” a tuk-tuk operator said.
For transport operators, the impact is immediate.
“Without fuel, there is no work for us boda boda riders,” another rider said.
In Kakamega, matatu operators say they are being forced to travel outside the town centre just to access fuel.
Government insists supply is stable despite global pressure
The government has maintained that there is no cause for alarm.
Treasury officials told Parliament that Kenya has fuel stocks that can last about 16 days.
Meanwhile, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said new shipments have already arrived in Mombasa to cover April demand.
He also dismissed fears of an imminent price increase ahead of the next EPRA review scheduled for April 14.
However, pressure is mounting from global factors, including disruptions linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The critical oil route has been affected by the ongoing Iran conflict, raising fears of supply shocks and price volatility.
