Police to arrest protesting petroleum dealers as fuel shortage bites

Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet has warned that the independent petroleum dealers currently barricading the Industrial area depot in Nairobi risk being arrested.

Mr. Boinnet gave the dealers – who are protesting over the recent 16 percent fuel tax – until 5PM Wednesday to leave the area or risk having their fuel trucks impounded and anyone found barricading the place arrested.

The protest has led to a fuel crisis in the city with many petrol stations running out fuel and the few who still have stock, being overwhelmed by queues of fuel hunters.

A contingent of GSU officers was deployed to the area and Mr. Boinnet, together with Petroleum PS Andrew Kamau were on hand to supervise the operation.

Mr. Kamau had earlier also warned dealers and transporters who blocked the road leading to the Konza Depot that their actions are tantamount to economic sabotage.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) also threatened not to renew licenses for fuel transporters who took part in protests.