Wandayi Cites Technical Hitch for Regional Fuel Shortages

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has stepped in to address growing concerns over fuel shortages that have hit several parts of the country. Motorists in Nairobi and other major towns reported dry pumps and unusually long queues at filling stations throughout the early part of the week.

In a formal statement issued on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary attributed the situation to a specific technical and administrative hitch. He explained that these disruptions had hindered the optimal uptake of petroleum products by a select group of oil marketing companies operating within the downstream sector of the supply chain.

The announcement comes at a sensitive time for the energy sector, as the public remains vigilant ahead of the monthly price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Wandayi emphasized that the shortage was not a result of a national deficit but rather a localized distribution challenge that has since been corrected.

Reports from various counties, including Nairobi, Kiambu, and Kisumu, indicated that some stations had been without fuel since Tuesday. On the Thika Superhighway, traffic was reportedly disrupted as vehicles queued on service lanes, particularly around the Survey area, where matatu operators struggled to secure diesel.

To mitigate panic, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has assured the public that the country maintains adequate fuel stocks. The Cabinet Secretary noted that the government is working closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that deliveries are normalized and that all affected stations are replenished.

"Fuel restocking in various filling stations is underway, and normal supply across the country will be attained by the end of today," Wandayi said during a briefing. He urged Kenyans to remain calm and avoid panic buying, which often exacerbates localized supply shocks.

External factors have also been weighing on the sector, with recent global tensions in the Middle East causing fluctuations in landing costs. Despite these international pressures, the Ministry maintains that the domestic distribution infrastructure remains robust and capable of meeting national demand once the administrative hurdles are fully cleared.

The government’s intervention follows a period of heightened scrutiny over energy security. While most parts of the country continued to receive regular supplies, the visibility of the shortage in the capital city sparked immediate reaction from the transport sector and industrial consumers.

With the technical hitch reportedly resolved, the focus now shifts to the logistics of restocking. The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the supply chain to prevent similar administrative bottlenecks from recurring in the future.