Nairobi — An acute shortage of petroleum products has hit Kisumu Town.

Petroleum dealers in Kisumu have been unable to get supplies from the depot in the town and were now relying on small quantities received from Nakuru.

A supervisor at Total Petrol Station, Mr David Wasilwa, said the outlet was still selling oil stocks it received last week.

"We are relying on the stocks we received last week because we have not been able to get enough oil from Kenya Pipeline Corporation," said Mr Wasilwa.

A spot check at various oil stations by the Nation revealed that local petrol dealers were charging normal rates with diesel going for Sh68 per litre, super at Sh78.99 and kerosene Sh66.9 despite the shortage.

Shortest time

The oil dealers expressed hope that the problem would be addressed in the shortest time possible.

"Since Monday last week, we have not had any fuel coming in and we understand that there is shortage in Nairobi. We hope it will be addressed very soon," said Mr Wasilwa.

But business people in the lakeside town attributed the shortage to oil exports by Kenya Pipeline Company.

Motorists now fear the prices could be hiked.

Oil station owners said it was likely for suppliers to review the prices upwards if the problem persists.

The shortage has interfered with transport since most vehicles use regular and super brands and which are now out of stock.

Some car owners interviewed said they would be left with no other option but to ground their vehicles.

Following the shortage, the area residents have resorted to using boda boda as their means of transport.