Fuel Shortage Hits Nairobi, Mombasa as Petrol Stations Close and Prices Spike to Ksh200
- by Samuel Mwanawanjuguna on
Despite the government’s insistence that the country has enough fuel supply to last at least two more weeks, several petrol stations have closed, and others have capped how much fuel motorists can pump.
Kenyans.co.ke has established that several petrol stations in Nairobi are reporting shortages, forcing motorists to travel distances seeking the precious commodity.
Some motorists in Nairobi indicate that some petrol stations lacked fuel on Friday morning, and those that have fuel hiked prices to Ksh200.
This is despite the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announcing pump prices on March 14, 2026, which set the retail prices of Super Petrol at Ksh178.28 per litre and Diesel at Ksh166.54.
“We have had to queue for a while to find fuel. We usually purchase a litre at Ksh160, but they are now charging Ksh200,” one motorist said.
The situation is especially worse in Mombasa and Kakamega counties, where motorists have reported the closure of some petrol stations.
Many pump stations in these areas are said to have run out of fuel. The retailers are pointing an accusing finger at the major oil marketers who distribute the commodity to petrol stations.
The marketers have been accused of hoarding fuel, awaiting a review of fuel prices.
Reports indicate long queues are being witnessed in Mombasa as motorists seek fuel, while some pump stations are setting hard caps on the amounts each motorist can buy.
“Finding fuel has become a big problem. You go to a petrol station and find fuel is very little and there are so many people queuing,” a tuk-tuk operator in Mombasa said on Friday.
“Without fuel, there is no work for us boda boda riders. And without work, we have no earnings,” another said.
In Kakamega, matatu operators are saying there is no fuel within Kakamega town, and they are having to go on the outskirts of the CBD to purchase the commodity.
Amid the chaos, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary told Parliament on Thursday that the country has fuel stocks that can last about 16 days.
Yesterday, however, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said fuel shipments have landed in Mombasa to cover the month of April.
According to Mwaura, the government does not anticipate any price hikes in the next review set for Tuesday, April 14.
“In the month of April, we have already received our next consignment. Usually, we are able to import eight shiploads of fuel, and we have a very good way of stabilising our supplies. There is no cause for alarm as we are dealing with the situation as it is as a government,” Mwaura said.
But, with the accusations that some oil marketers are hoarding fuel, awaiting higher prices largely driven by the Iran war, which has forced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
