Fuel shortage: Heavy police presence at Industrial Area depot

Fuel shortage: Heavy police presence at Industrial Area depot

There was heavy police presence at the Industrial Area fuel depot in Nairobi as tankers queued to stem the fuel shortage on Thursday morning.

This comes just as most petrol stations around the country experienced fuel shortage with motorists scrambling for the commodity.

According to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), the commission engaged security agencies to ensure that the loading of petroleum products at the depots resumes countrywide.

In an interview with a local station, ERC Director General Pavel Oimeke indicated that loading at other depots in Nairobi went on late into the night, to stem the shortage.

On Wednesday, ERC cancelled the licence of Kipeda Holdings Limited, an independent petroleum association, accusing the company of being behind the protest that triggered fuel shortage.

Independent petroleum dealers in Nairobi and Mombasa downed their tools citing the recent implementation of the 16 percent fuel tax.

Speculation is however rife that President Uhuru Kenyatta, who is currently in China, may not append his signature to the Bill to suspend the new tax.

Pundits claim that he may return it to Parliament with reservations.

Earlier in the week, the Motorists’ Association of Kenya called on its members to boycott the increased fuel prices by participating in a strike.

ERC released new fuel prices that reflect the 16 percent Value Added Tax as ordered by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

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