CS Wandayi: Technical and administrative hitch to blame for temporary fuel shortage

Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said that the unexplained hitch caused a temporary fuel shortage at some filling stations, as uptake of petroleum products by a few oil marketing companies operating in the downstream of the supply chain was limited.

He said that the matter is being resolved and deliveries are being normalised, assuring Kenyans that there is no cause for alarm and the country has adequate fuel stocks.

"Fuel restocking in various filling stations is underway, and normal supply across the country will be attained by the end of the day today," he said.

Fuel supply shocks were experienced in the country after the US-Iran war destabilized global fuel prices and partially crippled supply.

In the latest cycle, that cost rose sharply, with super petrol landing at Ksh.107 per litre, diesel at Ksh.133, and kerosene even higher at Ksh.170 per litre. This reflects a tightening global supply linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

In Nairobi, petrol and diesel now retail at Ksh.206, while kerosene remains unchanged at Ksh.152 per litre.

The Government has moved to cushion Kenyans from the escalating costs by utilising approximately Kshs.6.2 billion to stabilise pump prices through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund.