NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 15- Police in Kenya will escort fuel tankers across the country for the next 72 hours when the current fuel shortage crisis is expected to have been addressed.
The crisis has been blamed on marketers and dealers, said to be hoarding the fuel.
Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Thursday said police will provide security to the petroleum suppliers between 6 pm and 6 am.
The move is meant to guarantee security as the government rolls out plans to address the fuel crisis experienced in most parts of the country over the past 3 weeks.
“Kenyans are alive to the difficulties experienced due to the shortage of fuel within the country in the past few days. The National Police Service, as a law enforcement agency has taken cognizance of the persistent situation and joins other state actors in providing solutions to alleviate the difficulties experienced,” the IG said in a statement shared by National Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso.
Police are also expected to provide security to petrol stations within their jurisdiction.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma has since directed all fuel retailing outlets to operate on a 24-hour basis as part of the measure aimed at addressing the current fuel crisis.
“Let me make it clear here that we are going to follow this process to its logical conclusion. Kenyans have come from tough times with COVID-19 are trying to recover from its ravages and we will not accept another layer of artificial constraints placed on them,” she said.
She assured that the government will continue implementing the fuel subsidy program which was launched in 2020 to cushion Kenyans against rising global oil prices.
So far, the government has disbursed Sh34.6 billion to oil marketing companies.
The Government will initiate a process that will reward oil marketing companies who sold above their normal quota during the fuel crisis period, Cs Juma said.
She said that such firms will benefit from additional capacity while those who sold less than their normal capacities will have their respective capacities reduced.
“We have sanctioned a process of reallocating petroleum import capacity, the rationalizing is aimed at creating a healthy balance between transit and local volumes,” she said.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
