The spat between the State and oil firms’ arrears have caused fuel shortage in the country with counties reporting long queues at few available filling stations.
Oil marketing companies are now hoarding petroleum products after the government said that there was Sh13 billion worth of arrears to be settled today.
The marketers are protesting delays by the government to compensate them their margins which is about Sh32 billion – a figure that the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining disputes, saying it is Sh13 billion that is outstanding.
The marketers also added that this is not the first time that they have protested the delay.
“The prices of fuel from the last 12 months have gone up twice, in this we don’t have one source of supplier, we buy from where the prices are cheaper,” said the Principle Secretary, state department for petroleum, Andrew Kamau.
Through a statement released on Saturday by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) admitted that the recent escalation in international prices have resulted to a huge difference between the actual calculations and the stabilised pump prices.
Counties are reporting long queues in few available filling stations in Mombasa, Mumias, Lumakanda, Mbale, Luanda, Kanduyi, Webuye, Thika, Nyeri, Karatina, Murang’a, Sagana, Nanyuki and Embu counties.
The stretching queues have caused snarl-ups, with police having difficulties in controlling the motorists.
The fuel shortage is taking a toll on Innocent citizens and it is confusing that the government claims that there is enough stock.
“What is happening now is the trickle-down effect from Russia and Ukraine war,” President Uhuru said.
In Kericho, prices of fuel has now hit Sh200 per litre. Matatu owners Association Chairperson Simeon Kimutai said the effects of the shortage of fuel is enormous and has caused some public service vehicles out of the roads.
“The drivers are being forced to spend the whole nights at petrol station to refill,” he added that.