Why Kenya is experiencing fuel supply shortages

Motorists including school buses queue to fuel at Ola petrol station in Buruburu. Most of the petrol stations in Nairobi have run out of stock for the products. [Benard Orwongo Standard]

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi now says a fuel shortage reported in parts of the country is being resolved.

In a statement dated Wednesday, May 6, Wandayi attributed the disruption to a technical and administrative hitch that affected supply.

“This curtailed the optimal uptake of petroleum products by a few oil marketing companies operating in the downstream supply chain,” he said.

Though he avoided going into details of the said technical hitch, the Energy CS added that the ministry is working closely with stakeholders to normalise deliveries by the end of today. 

“Fuel restocking at various filling stations is underway, and normal supply across the country will be restored by the end of the day,” he said.

He maintained that the country has sufficient fuel stocks and urged calm.

“The government remains committed to safeguarding national energy security and ensuring reliable fuel supply for households, businesses and industries nationwide." 

The statement follows reports by motorists that some fuel stations had run dry and were turning away customers.

Fuel Price at Rubis Petrol Station in Nairobi on May 5, 2026, as fuel shortage looms. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Shortages have been reported in parts of Nairobi, as well as in Kiambu, Kisumu, Nyeri, Kericho and Kajiado counties.

The disruption also comes amid volatility in global oil markets following tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which temporarily disrupted supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for oil.

A ceasefire is currently in place, but prices have remained unstable due to supply concerns.