The fear of a looming fuel shortage in Kenya is growing as some petrol stations begin to ration the amount of fuel available to motorists. In several parts of the country, especially in rural areas, some petrol stations have already depleted their supplies of petrol and diesel, with some still waiting to replenish their supplies.
Industry players attribute the fuel shortage to global supply chain disruptions, with delays in the delivery of oil products to Kenya. Martin Chomba, who heads the dealers lobby, says the effects of the global supply chain disruptions are being felt, especially in rural areas where some towns have had to close down some of the petrol stations due to depletion of supplies.
“The biggest fuel suppliers to Kenya are rationing products. A few distributors are experiencing stockouts in the villages,” Martin noted.
Kenya depends on fuel supplies from abroad, with most of the supplies coming into the country through the port of Mombasa. The country consumes about 100,000 barrels of oil per day, with importers required to maintain reserves of oil enough to last over two to three weeks.
A part of this is attributed to the recent tension in the Middle East, which has caused problems in some of the main oil shipping routes. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the main global oil shipping routes, has been affected, thereby slowing down the flow of supplies. There is also fear that other countries with more resources are taking advantage of all available supplies, thereby making it difficult for Kenya to access more.
If this situation is not addressed, experts warn that it may eventually affect transport, business, and ultimately cause prices to go up. Last week, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi sought to assure Kenyans that there was enough fuel in the country, with the government working with international suppliers through a state-to-state agreement.
The Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority has also maintained fuel prices as follows: Ksh178.28 per litre for petrol, Ksh166.54 per litre for diesel, and Ksh152.78 per litre for kerosene, all applicable from March 15th to 14th April.
However, as supplies are becoming less in some countries, motorists fear that a shortage is imminent.