Nairobi — A transport crisis has hit Ukambani following fuel shortage forcing public service vehicles to suspend operations.

Hundreds of travellers were stranded in various towns.

"I have told my crew to suspend operations until the situation normalises," said Mr Peter Kioko in Machakos.

Matatus plying the Kangundo-Nairobi road had to drop their passengers at Caltex junction on Outer Ring Road, forcing them to trek about 7km to the city centre.

Petrol stations in Machakos, Tala, Kangundo, Mwala, Kithimani, Matuu and Wote towns have also ran out of fuel, worsening the crisis.

"My fuel reserve has dried up in the past two days and I have no hope of getting more," said Mr Peter Kilonzo, a matatu operator in Kangundo.

Desperate motorists are sending for fuel in Nairobi in jerricans.

"Unless I get fuel I will be stuck in my rural home," Ms Jennifer Matheka told The Standard at Mbiuni trading centre.

And most supermarkets in major towns have depleted their stocks of basic commodities.

Sugar, flour, bread, milk and soda are scarce.

"We are in a crisis and unless things improve we will close our shops," said Mr Ben Ndila.

Mobile phone scratch cards are also running out, and few dealers who have them are selling at inflated prices. A Sh100 card, for example, is going for Sh150.

Other traders, especially in Tala, Kangundo and Machakos, are hoarding the cards.

A shortage of groceries is also evident in local markets.

Most ATMs in Tala, Machakos and Wote are "temporarily out of service".

Meanwhile, more property was destroyed in Bungoma as the post-election violence continued.

In latest incidents, youths burnt Roots Petrol Station. Also set ablaze were two trucks, a tractor and a pick-up that had been left at the station overnight following violence in the town.

Supermarkets remain closed

The skirmishes, which erupted immediately the Electoral Commission of Kenya chairman, Mr Samuel Kivuitu, declared President Kibaki the winner of last year's General Election.

So far two people have been killed in the area. Several shops have been looted, and leading supermarkets remained closed for the third day on Tuesday.

Sharrif's Supermarkets opened for New Year shopping, but shut doors after about four hours citing security concerns.

Hundreds of families camped with their property at the Bungoma Police Station and DC's offices, unsure of their next course of action.

The swelling numbers have overwhelmed the Kenya Red Cross emergency team.

In his New Year message to the faithful at the Bungoma Anglican Church, National Council of Churches of Kenya national chairman, Bishop Eliud Wabukala, called for tolerance.

He urged Kenyans to live in peace. "It's time we rededicated ourselves to God and pray that He shows us the way out of the situation we are in," he said.

Wabukala appealed to well wishers to assist displaced families. He urged political leaders to embrace dialogue to restore order.

"This is our country and we should look at problems affecting us as one entity because failure to do so may cause us untold suffering," he said.