The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has linked the recent nationwide fuel shortages to a combination of technical and administrative snags. These hitches disrupted the normal flow of products, leaving some motorists stranded as pumps ran dry.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi explained that an unexplained glitch restricted several oil marketing companies in the downstream supply chain from collecting petroleum products. This localized bottleneck triggered temporary shortages at various filling stations across the country.
However, the CS assured the public that teams are currently resolving the issue and normalizing deliveries. He insisted that the country maintains sufficient fuel reserves and that citizens should not panic.
“Fuel restocking in various filling stations is underway, and normal supply across the country will be attained by the end of the day today,” he said.
These domestic logistical challenges follow broader supply shocks caused by the US-Iran war, which recently destabilized global oil prices and partially crippled international supply lines.
Beyond the fuel crisis, CS Wandayi addressed the persistent power outages that gripped Nairobi in March. Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, the CS linked the widespread blackouts to severe weather, specifically flooding at primary substations and infrastructure damage caused by gale-force winds and falling trees.
Wandayi explained that heavy rains caused stormwater to overflow into critical substations. This issue was particularly acute in urban areas where rapid development has interfered with natural drainage systems, leaving electrical hubs vulnerable to rising water.
“Due to the storms and strong winds during this time, trees growing near power lines fell on the lines, leading to damage of both high and low voltage power lines and transformers, thereby causing extensive outages,” the CS stated.
Regions Left in the Dark
The outages hit high-demand zones the hardest. Wandayi identified several compromised facilities, including the Nairobi West, Industrial Area, Ridgeways, Kimathi, and Syokimau substations. These hubs supply electricity to vital neighborhoods such as
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South C and South B
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Lang’ata and Upper Hill
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Industrial Area and Jogoo Road
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Mlolongo, Mavoko, and Katani
In addition to flooding, the storms uprooted trees in Dagoretti North, Westlands, and Ngong, tearing down both high- and low-voltage lines and destroying transformers.
Building a Climate-Resilient Grid
The Ministry, alongside Kenya Power (KPLC) and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), has already assessed the extent of the damage. Wandayi signaled that the era of ignoring climate-related threats to the grid is over.
“The ministry, through KPLC, did assess the effect of the floods and vulnerability of the sub-stations. Indeed, the threat posed by floods on the power system is immense and cannot be just wished away,” he noted.
To prevent future disruptions, the government is looking toward long-term structural changes. The proposed roadmap includes:
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Elevating Infrastructure: Raising older substations above ground level to keep them dry during floods.
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Going Underground: Placing sections of the distribution network underground to shield them from wind and falling debris.
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Reinforcing Lines: Replacing traditional wooden poles with durable concrete alternatives.
While tackling resilience, the ministry continues to push for broader access through the Last Mile Connectivity Programme. Wandayi revealed that the government has allocated Sh165.7 million for 53 electrification schemes in Kajiado County. This investment targets roughly 1,750 new customers, balancing the need for an expanded network with the necessity of a stable and weather-resistant national grid.
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