Fuel Shortages Reported Across Major Towns as Pumps Run Dry

A biting fuel shortage has hit several parts of the country, with filling stations in Nairobi and major regional towns reporting a total lack of petroleum products. The crisis, which intensified over the last 24 hours, has seen long queues form at the few stations still holding stock.

In Nairobi, many motorists spent hours searching for petrol and diesel. Several stations along the busy Mombasa Road and Jogoo Road remained closed, with "No Fuel" signs displayed at their entrances. This scarcity is beginning to impact the logistics sector, which relies heavily on a steady supply of diesel for heavy machinery and transport.

The situation is equally dire in the Central, Western, Rift Valley, and Nyanza regions. Residents in towns such as Nakuru and Kisumu reported that most independent retailers have run out of fuel. This has forced public service vehicle operators to hike fares or pull their fleets off the road entirely.

Truck drivers transporting construction materials and consumer goods have also expressed concern over the developing situation. Many have been stranded at depots, unable to refuel for long-distance transit. This delay in the movement of goods is expected to have a ripple effect on project timelines across the infrastructure sector.

Oil marketers have remained relatively quiet on the specific cause of the current stock-outs. However, industry insiders suggest that supply chain hitches and delays in subsidy payments to oil marketing companies might be contributing factors. These payment delays often hinder the ability of smaller players to replenish their stocks.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has previously maintained that the country has sufficient reserves. Despite these assurances, the reality on the ground reflects a different story. Consumers are now calling for the government to intervene and stabilize the supply chain before the economy suffers further.

President Ruto has previously emphasized the need for a stable energy sector to drive his administration’s economic agenda. The current crisis, if not resolved quickly, could undermine efforts to keep the cost of living and production manageable for Kenyans.

Local businesses are already feeling the pinch. Small-scale entrepreneurs who rely on generators have had to suspend operations. In the agricultural sector, farmers are worried that the diesel shortage will interfere with land preparation and the transport of produce to markets.

As the week progresses, the focus remains on the Ministry of Energy to provide a roadmap for restoring normalcy. For now, the sight of empty pumps and frustrated motorists has become a common feature across the Kenyan landscape.