A litre of petrol is retailing at up to Sh450 in Ilbisil and Maili Tisa towns in Kajiado County amid allegations that some petrol station owners are hoarding fuel, triggering an artificial shortage that is crippling transport.
Motorists say the situation has nearly paralysed movement along sections of the Namanga Highway, with boda boda operators and drivers forced to queue for hours over the past two days.
The shortage comes against the backdrop of global oil market pressures linked to the Israel–Iran conflict and currency fluctuations, which have strained supply chains.
However, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) maintains that pump prices remain unchanged for the period between March 15 and April 14, 2026. In Nairobi and its environs, including Kajiado, Super Petrol is retailing at Sh178.28 per litre, Diesel at Sh166.54 and Kerosene at Sh152.78, supported by a government subsidy.
Despite this, motorists report a steep and irregular price hike in parts of Kajiado, with some paying up to Sh272 more per litre than the official rate.
Residents claim that fuel tankers have been seen delivering supplies to stations in the affected towns, but operators are allegedly withholding stock to sell at inflated prices.
“We have seen tankers supplying fuel to various stations, but the owners have declined to sell to us. Transport in towns along the Namanga Highway is on the verge of collapsing,” said John Lesi, a boda boda operator in Ilbisil.
Frustrated motorists have also accused station operators of diverting fuel from pumps and selling it on the black market at exorbitant rates.
“We have realised some station owners are filling plastic bottles and using attendants to hawk fuel at Sh450 per litre. This is an unorthodox way to exploit Kenyans,” said motorist Isac Kipale.
The practice has raised safety concerns, with petrol being sold in plastic containers by the roadside without proper handling or quality controls, increasing the risk of fire outbreaks.
In the past, motorists in towns near the Namanga border would cross into Tanzania for cheaper fuel. However, that option has become less viable following a recent price increase.
Effective April 1, the Tanzania Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) announced a 33 per cent rise in fuel prices, pushing petrol in Dar es Salaam to about Sh3,820 per litre.
Transport operators now warn that continued hoarding and price manipulation could bring operations to a standstill, and are calling on EPRA to intervene.
“EPRA should clamp down on stations hoarding fuel in anticipation of price increases. This amounts to economic sabotage,” said truck driver John Omondi.
