We announced the possibility a few days ago, today it's official: Kenya is grappling with a serious fuel shortage. Since yesterday, many petrol pumps in the country have been closed and others have been literally stormed, especially by motorcyclists, the so-called "boda boda" who have practically conquered the vast majority of cab transports in Kenya.
The now obvious problem has led President Uhuru Kenyatta to issue an official statement.
Kenyatta cited the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as the main cause not only for the fuel shortage, but also for the increase of so many food prices that are being recorded in the country and for another serious discomfort that afflicts farmers, that of the lack of fertilizers, coming in particular just from Ukraine, while as recalled Russia is the first importer of wheat for flour and seeds for oil.
"Just after averting the effects of the pandemic of coronavirus, another war broke out in Europe and now the whole world has to suffer because of the lack of oil and other factors - said Kenyatta - the price of fertilizers has skyrocketed, the cost of fuel has also risen and there has also been a shortage of all other petroleum products".
The Head of State called on Kenyans to pray for international peace, noting that the ripple effect of the war would be felt locally because most sectors of the economy depend on fuel.
Kenyatta also called for immediate action to stop what he called a senseless war.
"I pray to those who are fighting to end their conflict, because when they fight, we are the ones who suffer," he added, "We must pray very hard that that war will be brought to a speedy conclusion. It is a very sad thing to see people go hungry, to see people lose their lives because of a senseless war. Dialogue has always replaced war and everything we can do to find peaceful solutions to our problems should be used."
Meanwhile, in big cities, but also in smaller ones such as Malindi, there is a sense of panic on the part of motorists who since yesterday have tried to stock up, arriving at gas stations with jerry cans as well as with their own vehicles. In other towns, police were forced to disperse boda bodas trying to obtain fuel from petrol pump operators.
Meanwhile, the Energy and Petrol Regulator Authority has assured that the Government will do its utmost to ensure new supplies of oil to domestic distributors, putting on hold the debts not yet paid, as regards excise duties, by the same.
In the coming days other items, such as eggs, bread, milk and cooking oil could be rationed or suffer unexpected increases. The consequences of the war on the Soviet front have also arrived here.