NAIROBI, Kenya — Fuel shortages occasionally reported at petrol stations in Kenya are largely caused by distribution delays and panic buying, not a lack of supply, former National Oil Corporation of Kenya board chair Patrick Obath has said.
Speaking in a televised interview, Obath outlined the complex supply chain that moves fuel from international markets to local petrol stations, noting that the process can take up to five weeks from shipment to retail.
He explained that fuel importation begins with oil marketing companies aggregating their demand and submitting orders to a central coordination unit that works with government agencies.
The orders are typically placed two to three months in advance to secure competitive prices and ensure stable supply.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority then aligns its monthly fuel price reviews with expected shipment arrivals to ensure price adjustments reflect actual import costs.
“EPRA revises fuel prices every month to keep them in sync with when the shipments arrive,” Obath said.
Once fuel is shipped, it takes about 10 to 14 days to arrive at the port of Mombasa. Vessels may then queue before offloading, which can add up to another week, depending on traffic at the port.
After discharge, the fuel is transported through the pipeline system to depots across the country before being distributed to petrol stations. Obath noted that the pipeline network has limited capacity, which can slow deliveries during periods of high demand.
“By the time a molecule leaves the Middle East and arrives at the petrol station next to you, it may take about a month to five weeks. That’s why there can be a delay in the impact of what’s happening,” he said.
Obath added that about 20pc of global oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making global supply vulnerable to disruptions. He said Kenya has increasingly diversified supply sources beyond the Middle East, which may attract higher premiums but improves stability.
He also addressed reports of dry pumps at some stations over the weekend, saying the shortages were localized and temporary.
“These shortages are not due to a lack of fuel in the country,” he said.
According to Obath, pipeline limitations, shipment timing and sudden spikes in demand can create short-term stock-outs at individual stations. Panic buying by motorists can further strain supplies, especially when drivers fill full tanks instead of topping up.
“That is why you see that in the initial stages, people are saying there’s no fuel,” he said.
The explanation comes amid periodic concerns over fuel availability, with authorities maintaining that Kenya’s national stocks remain adequate despite temporary distribution bottlenecks.
