With the country consuming about 100,000 barrels of fuel daily and relying entirely on imports, the East African economy faces the risk of shortages if even a single shipment fails to arrive. Oil prices have soared since the US and Israel started bombarding Iran late last month and are currently hovering at around $100 a barrel. “The biggest fuel suppliers to Kenya are rationing product,” said Martin Chomba, chairman of the Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya in an interview with Bloomberg. He added that a few distributors are already “experiencing stock outs in the villages.”Kenya imports fuel through the port of Mombasa, where a local refinery remains dormant after being shut due to unprofitability. East and southern Africa are particularly vulnerable, receiving about 75% of fuel imports from the Middle East, according to Elitsa Georgieva, executive director at energy consultancy CITAC.

Source: Daily Nation March 18, 2026 17:59 UTC