By Jameson
The Government has assured Kenyans that the country’s fuel supply remains stable and secure despite ongoing volatility in global energy markets, with measures in place to cushion consumers from severe price shocks.
Speaking to the press on Friday in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi said the Government remains committed to ensuring reliable, accessible, and affordable energy for all Kenyans.
“The Government’s priority is clear: keep fuel flowing, keep the economy moving, and protect citizens from unnecessary shocks,” Wandayi said.
The CS noted that Kenya currently has sufficient fuel stocks, with imports arriving as scheduled and fuel distribution across the country continuing without interruption.
“There is no national shortage, and systems at the Port of Mombasa and inland depots continue to operate normally,” he said.
According to the Ministry, institutionalised spot checks have been introduced across storage and supply chains to ensure compliance and maintain supply stability.
On fuel pricing, Wandayi explained that prices are largely influenced by global market forces beyond the control of any single country. However, he said Kenya’s fuel management systems are designed to mitigate sudden fluctuations in a structured and predictable manner.
The Cabinet Secretary defended the Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel importation framework, saying it has played a critical role in stabilising supply and shielding the country from global market volatility.
“At a time when global energy markets remain uncertain, Kenya’s fuel supply remains secure, stable, and well managed. The G2G framework is working as intended, anchoring supply, reducing exposure to volatility, and providing a buffer during global uncertainty,” Wandayi stated.
He added that the framework has enabled Kenya to diversify fuel sourcing from multiple international markets, including Europe, the US Gulf Coast, India, and the Red Sea region.
According to the Ministry, this diversification has strengthened the country’s resilience by reducing dependence on a single supply route and ensuring continuity even when traditional supply channels face disruptions.
Wandayi further noted that Kenya has continued to benefit from relatively stable freight and premium costs under the G2G arrangement, with costs ranging between USD 78 and USD 97 per tonne. In comparison, some countries relying on open spot purchasing reportedly experienced costs rising to between USD 250 and USD 300 per tonne during the same period.
The CS also pointed to early signs of easing pressure in global energy markets due to improved supply routing and shifting demand patterns.
“While the situation remains fluid and unpredictable, the direction is encouraging,” he said.
He assured Kenyans that any improvements in global market conditions would gradually be reflected locally through the existing pricing system.
Wandayi also revealed that long-term plans are underway to establish regional oil refineries aimed at strengthening the country’s future energy security.
The Ministry said it will continue engaging stakeholders across the energy value chain, including manufacturers, oil marketing companies, transport and logistics firms, public transport operators, distributors, and regulators, while keeping the public informed on developments.
The Ministry further acknowledged that the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel has contributed to instability in global energy markets.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil trade passes, alongside attacks on energy infrastructure in Iran and several Gulf Cooperation Council countries, has disrupted global oil supplies.
The disruption has contributed to rising global oil prices and fuel shortages in countries heavily reliant on fuel imports from the Persian Gulf region. Several countries have also experienced panic buying and disruptions in the distribution of petroleum products, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and urea used in fertiliser production.