Kenya faces fuel shortages amid crisis
Supply disruptions and price caps strain fuel availability
Kenya is facing fuel shortages as disruptions from the Iran war squeeze global oil supplies, industry leaders and station operators say. Martin Chomba, chairman of the Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK), said that roughly one-fifth of independent retail outlets—those representing about 68% of the national market—are experiencing stock gaps after the sector regulator froze pump prices despite rising international crude costs. With supplies sourced from the Middle East via government-to-government arrangements, the country’s import-dependent supply chain has been strained by halted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, industry sources said.
Deliveries to filling stations have slowed, prompting some outlets to reduce sales or briefly close when tanks run dry and producing long queues at pumps. Dealers warned they may begin hoarding petroleum products ahead of an expected consumer price increase next month, seeking to mitigate losses while regulated pump rates remain unchanged. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) left pump prices unchanged for a 30-day period on March 14, a move retailers say exacerbates shortages by limiting their ability to pass higher global costs to consumers.
Government officials have urged fuel companies to prioritize supplies for essential services—public transport, hospitals and emergency responders—and are monitoring depot stock levels that sources say are below normal. Authorities and analysts are exploring emergency imports, alternative routing and regional cooperation to stabilize supplies and contain inflationary pressure on transport and energy-dependent sectors. Consumers have been advised to avoid panic buying and conserve fuel where possible while the situation is managed. The shortages underscore Kenya’s vulnerability as an importer of refined petroleum to geopolitical shocks in the Middle East and the wider implications for domestic energy security and inflation.
