Kenyan motorists have been crossing to the neighbouring Uganda to fuel their vehicles following the shortage being experienced in the country.
According to the motorists, they prefer Uganda as it has enough supplies and the prices are subsidized by the government.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, March 29, the motorists noted that most towns along the Kenya - Uganda border had suffered prolonged fuel shortages forcing them to cross the border.
"I left Chwele looking for fuel. I passed by Mayanja and there was no fuel. When I got here (Uganda), there was a very long line," stated a boda boda operator.
"We do not understand what is going on because around the town of Bungoma, we were only being served by one petrol station," stated Sabastian Juma, a driver.
The boda boda operators are even contemplating doubling their prices as the shortage bites.
On March 14, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) , announced that petrol in Kenya would retail at Ksh134.72 per litre while diesel was priced at Ksh115.60 per litre.
In comparison, a litre of petrol in Uganda retails at Ksh128.16 while that of diesel goes for Ksh117.76.
"Some riders are crossing to Uganda to buy fuel because the country has the product and the price is fair," stated a rider.
"We must also raise transport costs. When a customer says that they are going to a certain destination, we must revise our charges for instance from Ksh50 to Ksh100," corroborated another rider.
The Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK), in a statement, explained that the shortage experienced in Western and North Rift towns was caused by various factors.
The situation was worsened by the ongoing Ukrainian conflict which affects the pricing point in the Kenyan market.
"We have been experiencing a tough wholesale market where we have grappled with unrealistic prices and artificial shortages, and at times, both scenarios play out," read the statement in part.
EPRA was also slammed for not cushioning the petroleum dealers and Kenyans at large.
