Motorists in Nairobi are facing unprecedented fuel shortages due to clearance delays at the Port of Mombasa, despite government assurances of sufficient stocks. Long queues form at petrol stations as supplies dwindle.
Fuel shortages have been linked to logistical hitches and delays in clearing fuel cargo vessels at the port. Several vessels carrying petrol and diesel faced delays over the weekend due to clearance issues with the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
These delays affected the offloading process at the port, creating a backlog of fuel shipments awaiting entry into the country’s distribution system. Consequently, depots have received reduced volumes, directly impacting availability at petrol stations.
The clearance challenges stem from documentation and compliance requirements, including certification of imported fuel cargo prior to discharge. Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, assured that Kenya has sufficient petroleum stocks to meet current demand.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed that Kenya will have a steady supply of fuel after facilitating a G2G convention. President William Ruto announced that Kenya secured a fuel supply deal amid the Middle East crisis.
The situation has triggered panic buying, further straining already limited supplies and worsening congestion at fuel stations across the city. Kenyans have reacted on social media, blaming the government for discrepancies between assurances and reality at the pumps.
No timeline has been shared regarding when normal operations will resume at the port. As it stands, motorists remain anxious as they navigate ongoing shortages.
