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Fuel shortage in Kenya is becoming crucial causing a hike in prices, particularly in the capital, Nairobi. Operators have had to wait for hours to fill their vehicles. Many petrol stations are running out of petrol and diesel. The shortage has mostly affected the western region of Kenya.
Fuel shortage in Kenya is becoming crucial causing a hike in prices, particularly in the capital, Nairobi. Operators have had to wait for hours to fill their vehicles. Many petrol stations are running out of petrol and diesel. The shortage has mostly affected the western region of Kenya.
Analysts say the shortage could take three weeks to stabilize and fuel supplies to return to normal. There are petrol pumps, which have introduced fuel rationing per customer. The shortage is mostly because of the supply disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
A report indicates that Kenya’s government will pay subsidy arrears to petrol retailers this week to allay fears of potential fuel shortages and forestall a crisis. Kenya is reeling from a surge in crude oil prices since last year. This has forced the government to start subsiding retail prices. Kenya rolled out a fuel subsidy in April last year to cushion consumers from the surge in the price of oil in international markets. It has so far spent 36 billion shillings (US$313 million) subsidizing fuel.
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The government owes the companies 13 billion shillings, as subsidy, which is likely to be settled this week, sources indicate. However, experts predict that the shortage might continue for a few more days since the shortage is severe and replenishing the supply in a day or two is seemingly difficult.
There are people who believe that the shortage is artificial to make a killing by the petrol pump owners.
