Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has said Kenya could soon see people from neighbouring countries coming in to buy fuel as shortages continue to hit the region.
Speaking to the public on the 1st of April, Kinyanjui noted that Kenya is in a better place compared to other countries due to the government-to-government agreement with Saudi Arabia regarding fuel.
He noted that the agreement has ensured that Kenya is not affected by the shortage experienced due to the tension experienced in the Middle East.
“Because of the agreement we signed, Kenya is assured of fuel despite what is happening globally,” noted the CS.
He added that Kenya is likely to witness an influx of people from other countries due to the shortage experienced in the region.
“Uganda and others may soon be coming to fuel here because of the arrangements we have put in place,” noted CS Kinyanjui.
Countries such as Tanzania and Uganda are already feeling the impact. For instance, in Tanzania, fuel prices have increased significantly. They have gone up by over 30 percent in the recent past.
Kinyanjui noted that the situation is not limited to the region. According to him, even big countries like India are not exempt. For instance, India has seen workers being asked to work from home due to fuel shortages. The situation has also been seen in the Philippines.
In Kenya, the government has sought to reassure the public that the situation is under control. Recently, President Ruto noted that the fuel deal in place has helped protect the citizens from fuel shortages and rising prices.
However, the government has noted that the country may be affected in some areas. For instance, the government has noted that the country may be affected in terms of trade.
For the moment, Kenya remains one of the most stable countries in the region in terms of fuel. The situation in the region remains uncertain.
