Leaders allied to president William Ruto have called for decisive government action against fuel hoarding in the country.
Trans Nzoia Woman Representative Lilian Siyoi urged authorities to crack down on fuel stations accused of hoarding petroleum products to create artificial shortages.
Siyoi warned that fuel hoarding could destabilize the economy by disrupting transport, inflating commodity prices, and worsening the cost of living for ordinary citizens.
“Fuel hoarding is economic sabotage that must not be tolerated. Those involved should face the full force of the law,” she said during a public engagement forum at Makunga Primary School in Kwanza Constituency.
Former Kiminini Member of Parliament Chris Wamalwa echoed the call, demanding strict penalties, including the deregistration of fuel stations found culpable.
“Any dealer hoarding fuel to manipulate supply and prices should have their licenses revoked. This is exploitation of wananchi and must be stopped,” Wamalwa stated.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, on Wednesday, March 25, accused some Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) of creating a man-made fuel shortage in the country.
Addressing reports of a fuel shortage, Wandayi claimed that some OMCs were hoarding petroleum products in anticipation of a price increase linked to tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Habitat Programme, Susan Nakhumicha, criticized the Trans Nzoia County Government over what she termed as failures in the health sector.
Nakhumicha said the county administration has not delivered quality healthcare services, leaving residents to suffer due to inefficiencies and poor planning.
She also accused the county government of neglecting water supply, emphasizing that water services are a fully devolved function that should be efficiently managed at the county level.
“Health and water are critical services. It is unacceptable for residents to continue facing such challenges, yet these are devolved responsibilities,” she said.
The leaders also rallied support for the re-election of President Ruto, saying his administration has demonstrated commitment to transforming Kenya through key development programmes.
They cited milestones such as the Boma Yangu initiative, the Social Health Insurance Fund, and major infrastructure projects across the country as evidence of progress.
