Motorists in Nairobi are facing major frustration after several petrol stations reportedly ran out of fuel, while others sharply increased pump prices to as high as Ksh200 per litre amid an ongoing shortage.
This is happening despite repeated assurances from the government that Kenya still has enough fuel reserves to last for at least two more weeks.
Even with those promises, the situation on the ground tells a different story, with many filling stations closing temporarily and others introducing strict limits on how much fuel each customer can buy.
Newshub.co.ke has established that the shortage is affecting several parts of Nairobi, forcing motorists to drive long distances from one station to another in search of petrol.
The scramble for fuel began intensifying on Friday morning after many stations either had no supply or were serving only a few vehicles at a time.
Motorists who managed to find fuel said the prices had gone up significantly, with some stations reportedly selling petrol at Ksh200 per litre, far above the official regulated price.
The current reports come only weeks after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced the official fuel prices on March 14, 2026. Under the latest pricing schedule, Super Petrol was set at Ksh178.28 per litre, while Diesel was retailing at Ksh166.54 per litre.
Despite these official rates, desperate motorists say some dealers are taking advantage of the shortage.
“We have had to queue for a while to find fuel. We usually purchase a litre at around Ksh160, but they are now charging Ksh200,” one frustrated motorist said.
The fuel crisis is reportedly even worse in Mombasa and Kakamega counties, where several petrol stations have completely shut down after exhausting their stock.
In these regions, many retailers are blaming major oil marketing companies responsible for distributing the product to local stations. Some station owners claim the large suppliers are deliberately slowing deliveries and holding back stock as they wait for the next fuel price review.
The allegations have raised concerns that some marketers may be hoarding fuel in anticipation of higher prices, especially as global oil markets remain under pressure.
In Mombasa, long queues have been reported at the few stations still operating, with motorists spending hours waiting for service. Some stations have also introduced hard caps, limiting the amount of fuel each vehicle can buy in order to serve more customers.
“Finding fuel has become a big problem. You go to a petrol station and find very little fuel, yet there are so many people queuing,” a tuk-tuk operator in Mombasa said on Friday.
For many transport operators, the shortage is already affecting their daily income.
“Without fuel, there is no work for us boda boda riders. And without work, we have no earnings,” another rider lamented.
In Kakamega, matatu operators say the shortage has disrupted transport services within the town, with many drivers now being forced to travel to the outskirts of the central business district just to refuel.
The crisis comes even as the Treasury Cabinet Secretary told Parliament on Thursday that the country still has enough fuel stock to last about 16 days.
On the other hand, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura moved to calm public fears on Thursday, stating that fresh fuel shipments had already docked in Mombasa and would be enough to cover demand throughout the month of April.
According to Mwaura, the government does not expect any major fuel price increase during the next EPRA review scheduled 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.
However, the continued shortage on the ground, combined with claims that some marketers are holding back stock, has left many Kenyans worried that the situation could worsen before the next official price review.
The fears are being fueled further by rising tensions in the international oil market, particularly the ongoing Iran war, which has disrupted global supply chains after the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
If the shortage continues through the weekend, transport costs, business operations, and daily commuting across major towns could face even greater disruption, putting more pressure on already struggling Kenyans.
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