Fuel Shortage Hits Nairobi as Motorists Queue Amid Supply Delays

A fresh fuel shortage has gripped parts of Kenya, with Nairobi emerging as the hardest hit, as motorists spend hours queuing at filling stations in search of petrol and diesel.

Long queues and disruptions

The shortage, which began earlier this week, saw several stations run dry from Tuesday into Wednesday. Along key routes such as Thika Superhighway and Eastern Bypass, long lines of vehicles caused traffic congestion, with some drivers being turned away due to depleted supplies.

The situation has also spread to surrounding areas including Rongai, Embakasi, South C and Lang’ata, where limited fuel availability has triggered panic buying and rationing at some outlets.

Fears ahead of price review

The disruption comes just days before the anticipated fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, raising concerns among consumers about a potential increase in pump prices.

Cause of the shortage

Officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards have attributed the shortage to delays in clearing fuel cargo at the Port of Mombasa. The delays are reportedly linked to certification document issues, which have slowed down the release of shipments.

Authorities say efforts are underway to resolve the backlog and restore normal supply, but the situation continues to inconvenience motorists and disrupt transport across affected areas.