Fuel Panic Is Tightening Grip on Kisumu as Shortage Worries Send People to Long Lines and Push Transport Costs Up
Panic buying and long queues have hit Kisumu as fears of a fuel shortage spread around the county, disrupting transport work and pushing costs higher for motorists and commuters.
Motorists queue at an Ola Energy petrol station in Kisumu amid growing concerns over fuel supply delays and fears of a possible shortage in the county. Photo/courtesy
By Ruth Sang
Motorists plus transport operators in Kisumu right now are dealing with some serious nerves , and those long queues at petrol stations aren’t helping at all. This is happening after more and more people start talking about a possible fuel shortage in the county , and the fear quickly turns into “move fast” behavior.
Because of that, panic buying has picked up, filling stations have become crowded, and transport costs are climbing as residents scramble to get fuel while reports keep saying deliveries are being delayed.
A number of petrol outlets are also said to be facing supply disruptions, which is basically making the customers more jumpy , since many think the shortage might get worse soon.
Speaking with the media, Ola Energy Nairobi Road Customer Service Attendant Caleb Kikete said the fuel drop offs are taking way longer than they used to.
“Fuel that would normally arrive within two days is now taking up to two weeks,” Kikete said.
He added that the surge in demand is putting pressure on stations , especially where diesel is concerned, even though fuel prices are still relatively steady after the last adjustment.
“Because of the fuel shortage fears, customers have increased,” he added.
Kikete said staff at the stations have sometimes had to request help from supervisors and managers whenever crowds get too much, mainly because the congestion at the pumps just won’t ease.
The whole uncertainty has also messed with transport routines across Kisumu. Drivers are now tweaking their schedules, trying to survive the rising operational costs.
Local transport operator Paul Juma said he first got wind of the possible shortage through social media and other drivers, then later confirmed it after seeing queues growing for himself.
“Transport costs have gone up noticeably,” Juma said, adding that some suppliers have hiked delivery charges, so operators are having to pass those extra costs onto passengers.
He said he has since cut down the number of trips he does each day and is even sticking to shorter routes so he can reduce diesel use.
“As the sole breadwinner for my family, every missed trip affects my income directly,” he said.
Residents meanwhile say they are worried the situation could continue to spiral if fuel deliveries keep taking longer, day after day.
This fuel supply worry is coming alongside wider energy sector challenges, with the crisis being partly tied to instability in the Gulf region.
Still, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has assured Kenyans more than once that the country has enough fuel stocks , and that arrangements are in place to keep supply steady.
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