Motorists in Nakuru are feeling the frustration of fuel scarcity, particularly petrol, and diesel, which has driven up the cost of commuting. Several matatu saccos have increased fares to cope with the crisis, while other motorists are turning to alternative means of transport.

This has been observed across several petrol stations and PSV termini within the town.

James Gitonga, a motorist travelling to Eldoret from Nyeri says that due to the shortage, he was forced to use V-Power, which is more expensive.

“I am travelling from Mwea, and all the way through Nyeri and Karatina, and all petrol stations that I have met along the way were reporting fuel shortages. We are beginning to feel the pain at the pump,” he says.

James Gitonga, a motorist travelling to from Nyeri speaks to the media about the fuel crisis on April 7.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

Duncan Njehia, who operates a transport business, says he traversed Njoro without success before making his way to Nakuru town, where he also struggled to find V-Power petrol.

“Because I didn’t want my car to stall, I decided to put the V-Power despite the prices being very high — V-Power is at Sh 190 while regular is around Sh 175. I don't know if what I have will get me to where I am going. If the shortage continues, I will be forced to park my car, which is nearly impossible because the goods I carry cannot be ferried by a motorcycle or tuk-tuk. My business will have to stop,” says Njehia.

Several Saccos operating within Nakuru town and its environs have responded by hiking fares, citing increased operational costs and reduced vehicle turnout.

Kevin Chumo, an official at Satima Sacco, says that the shortage has significantly reduced the number of vehicles on the road. This has, in turn, created high demand, further pushing up fares.

A petrol station attendant fuels a car in Nakuru on April 7.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/ MTAA WANGU

Chumo notes that the Sacco, which mostly ferries passengers from Nakuru to Nairobi, has increased fares from Sh 450 to Sh 600 due to the shortage.

He says it has been a challenge for matatus to pick up passengers in Nakuru due to the limited fuel supply.

“We have no choice but to increase fares because fuel is scarce and expensive where available. Some of us spend the whole night looking for fuel. If we don’t adjust fares, we cannot operate,” he says.

Bodaboda riders, like Samuel Njoroge, also circulating the town in a frenzy, searching for petrol, are pointing an accusing finger at petrol stations, which they claim are hoarding fuel, and note in frustration that they may soon be forced to reduce their trips or temporarily halt operations, as the little fuel they find is too expensive.

Samuel Njoroge, who is a bodaboda rider speaks to the media about the fuel crisis on April 7

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR /MTAA WANGU

“I have been going around since morning, visiting close to four petrol stations, all the way to the industrial area, and I have only managed to find fuel here in town. It seems like they are hoarding the fuel, because when you go to Shell, they are only selling V-Power and there is no regular petrol,” says Njoroge.

The motorists are now calling on authorities to intervene and stabilize fuel supply, noting that during peak hours, they have seen fares nearly double, leaving many residents stranded or forced to seek alternative means of transport.

Commuters brace for chaos as matatu, bodaboda operators announce strike

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Leleti Jassor