Fuel shortage hits Kakamega : The Standard

Motorists are up in arms with owners of petrol stations in Kakamega town for allegedly hoarding fuel. Several petrol filling stations remained closed on Tuesday due to alleged fuel shortage. Kobil and Julka petrol stations saw motorists form long queues in search of fuel. "We suspect some petrol station owners are just hiding the fuel in anticipation of price hike, the situation has been like this since when the government announced a drop in fuel prices last Friday," said Robert Amachonye, chairman of bodaboda riders in the area. He said the riders have been worst hit by the fuel hitch. "Why would only two filling stations have fuel while the major ones claim to be experiencing a shortage?" Posed Amachonye.

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"We demand investigations into this artificial shortage, we know there are games being played, the shortage could not have coincided reduced prices," he said. Local taxi drivers also claimed to have been affected by the situation. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced a reduction in Super Petrol price by Sh4.57 per litre last week. Kerosene which is used by majority households was lowered by Sh6.61. alongside Diesel which dropped by a negligible 55 cents. Pavel Oimeke, Director-General of ERC had earlier said they had taken into account the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products while reviewing the prices.

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The changes saw motorists in Mombasa and Kisumu part with Sh110.91 and Sh113.54 for a litre of Super Petrol respectively. The price was a little higher in Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu where Super Petrol was to retail at Sh114.02, Sh115.02 and Sh115.01 per litre respectively. "The government ought to establish why fuel shortage is experienced only when prices are reviewed downwards," said Amachonye. Bodaboda riders also wondered why reduced prices do not last for more than one week but whenever there is a price hike, it takes longer before review. “Would rather buy fuel at Sh120 per litre but have reliable supply than face shortage when the prices drops," said motorists.

SEE ALSO :Reprieve for motorists as ERC lowers fuel prices

Related Topics

Fuel shortageKobilJulkaRobert AmachonyeEnergy Regulatory CommissionPavel Oimeke