CS Wandayi disputes fuel shortage reports, warns against panic buying

Addressing the press on Wednesday, CS Wandayi said that the supply chain is intact and Kenya's petroleum reserves are at the required level. 

According to him, the Kenya Pipeline Company is holding 102 million litres of Petrol, 146 million litres of Diesel, 157 million litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene Jet A1 and Kerosene.

He intimated that a diesel vessel is currently discharging at the port of Mombasa, and more vessels are expected to discharge 288 million litres.

"These stocks are sufficient to meet the national demand against our daily consumption," he noted.

CS Wandayi noted that he is privy to information that a few oil marketing companies are hoarding fuel, warning that any reported case will be dealt with firmly under the law.

He ordered them to maintain a regular supply and sell their products at prices dictated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulation Authority (EPRA).

"This conduct is commercially opportunistic, contrary to the country's interest and in direct breach of their legal obligations," he said.

"They are aware of the conditions that come with their license. They should not engage in any unorthodox and unethical practices to take advantage of the crisis in the world. That would invite serious sanctions."

He further discouraged Kenyans from panic buying, urging the public to remain calm and continue their normal purchasing patterns.

If the need arises to change prices, he added, the government will make its official statement through EPRA, but for now, Kenyans should continue receiving an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products.

The fuel shortage fears have been sparked by the ongoing war in the Middle East, since the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway through which some 20 percent of global exports pass in peacetime, has been effectively closed by Iran in retaliation for the US and Israeli war against it.

Since 2023, Kenya has been importing fuel from three international oil companies as supply partners, namely Saudi Aramco, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Emirates National Oil Company Group (ENOC).

The deal was inked to cure shortages that were sparked by the shortage of dollars for oil marketers caused by currency hoarding and foreign outflows.