Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has moved to calm growing anxiety over fuel supply, assuring Kenyans that the country has enough stocks and more shipments are already on the way.
Appearing before the National Assembly Energy Committee on Monday, Wandayi said there is no national shortage, despite scattered reports of dry petrol stations in some parts of the country.
He told lawmakers that current reserves remain steady and can sustain the market for several days.
“I want to assure Kenyans there is no shortage of fuel. As of today, we have 183,318 cubic metres of petrol and 152,750 cubic metres of diesel. That is enough to last us for many days. More shipments are also on the way,” he said.
Wandayi was, however, quick to point fingers at sections of the oil industry, saying the problem is not supply but how some players are behaving in the market.
“There is no shortage of fuel in the country. If there is any shortage, it has been caused by oil market players,” he added.
His remarks come at a time when pressure has been mounting on oil marketing companies, with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority stepping up enforcement.
The regulator says it has received multiple complaints that some companies are withholding fuel from independent dealers, a move believed to be aimed at cashing in on expected price increases.
Early findings show that some marketers have been limiting supply to non franchised stations, a practice that goes against the law and distorts the market.
There are also concerns that some firms have been selling fuel above the set wholesale prices, adding further strain on retailers and consumers already grappling with high pump costs.
Even with these concerns, Wandayi insisted the government is in control of the situation and is moving to protect consumers from exploitation.
He also addressed questions around a controversial fuel consignment, saying the procurement process had been initiated through technical advice but later raised concerns that are now under review.
