The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) says the country holds enough fuel stocks to last at least a month, even as global supply chains strain under mounting pressure.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s JKLive programme, the authority’s Director of Petroleum and Gas, Edward Kinyua, struck a calm and measured tone. “We have enough stock to last us,” he said, outlining reserves of 23 days for diesel and 28 days for super petrol, roughly 225 million litres in total.
He added that several fuel tankers remain anchored off the coast of Mombasa, waiting to discharge. At one point, he noted, a vessel had to be held back because onshore storage facilities were already full. “That tells you the system is stable,” he said.
The reassurance comes at a tense moment. Rising global oil prices and disrupted supply routes have fuelled public concern, with some Kenyans fearing shortages and further price spikes.
Kinyua attributed the relative stability to Kenya’s government-to-government fuel import arrangement. Under the system, international oil suppliers are contractually bound to deliver, even as traditional supply routes, particularly from Europe, face disruption.
“They are looking at all possible sources,” he said. “Beyond Europe, they are also getting product out of India.”
But the shift has come at a cost. Suppliers are increasingly using smaller vessels, often routed through the Red Sea. While effective, the approach is less efficient. Smaller shipments, Kinyua explained, drive up the cost per litre compared to larger cargoes that benefit from economies of scale.
“They are also taking a hit,” he said, acknowledging the financial strain across the supply chain. “This is not unique to Kenya. It is a global challenge.”
Recent adjustments at the pump reflect that pressure. Although EPRA announced a KSh10 reduction in fuel prices earlier this week, Kinyua made clear that global benchmarks have risen sharply.
Before the current crisis, petrol traded at about $686 per tonne. It has since climbed to over $1,060, an increase of more than 50 per cent. Diesel has seen an even steeper rise, more than doubling in price on international markets.
Against that backdrop, the regulator argues that local price controls have cushioned consumers from the full force of global volatility.
Still, questions linger. Industry players and consumers alike are watching closely, wary of how long the buffer can hold if global disruptions persist.
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