PS blames fuel shortage on massive panic buying

By Standard Team

The fuel shortage is as a result of panic from motorists ahead of the festive season, Energy PS Patrick Nyoike has claimed.

Nyoike said yesterday the shortage was caused by motorists and transporters buying the commodity in bulk for fear it will run out during Christmas.

"There is panic among motorists and transporters, ahead of the festive season," Mr Nyoike told journalists.

This was after a two-hour meeting with oil marketers, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) and Kenya Petroleum Refineries Ltd officials.

Constraints

For the past two weeks, supply of fuel has been short in Nairobi and upcountry retail outlets, with blame shifting from KPC, KRA to oil dealers.

In Nakuru, there were long queues as motorists rushed to buy fuel following fears of a shortage. Attendants in some petrol stations said they expected stocks by yesterday evening."We do not have fuel, but we expect to get additional supplies by the end of the day," said an attendant at a Kobil Petrol Station. Super sold for between Sh78.8 and Sh79.9 and diesel for between Sh71.9 and Sh74.

In Kisumu, most of the filling stations did not have diesel and super brands.Most motorists, majority who have travelled to join relatives for Christmas, have felt the biting fuel shortage.

Worst hit are motorists using petrol as it was out of supply by yesterday.

There was no shortage in Eldoret town, although motorists complained of high prices.

Nyoike assured that the previous power outages, which disrupted KPC’s pumping ability for three days, last week, had been resolved.

"The pipeline is now connected to a dedicated power line," said Nyoike.

KPC is pumping between 540,000 and 560,000 litres an hour, with plans to hit 600,000 litres.

Yesterday’s meeting resolved that KRA, KPC and oil marketers operate on a 24-hour schedule to scale up availability of the products.

"Supply to Western Kenya has capacity constraints which are being addressed. The pipeline to Eldoret is being constructed and this will take time," said Nyoike.

The Energy Ministry has issued its monthly tender for Middle East crude and is seeking two 600,000-barrel cargos of Abu Dhabi Murban crude for February arrival.

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