A shortage of kerosene has persisted in Mombasa for the past six days.

Kerosene pumps in Mombasa, Mtwapa, Ukunda and Kwale which are the major suppliers of rural areas surrounding the Coastal city are dry. This comes after last week's fuel crisis experienced by motorists in the town after a shortage of petrol and diesel.

There have been long queues at petrol stations as residents scramble in the few petrol stations which have kerosene. Petrol stations have increased the price of kerosene following the fuel price changes. A litre of kerosene has gone up by five shillings and sixty cents selling at Sh76.80.

According to a key supplier, who refused to be named, the kerosene shortage is as a result of differences on pricing between the distributors and the Kenya Oil Refineries. "The prices at the refineries are close to the pump prices which distributors are not comfortable with. This is why they have not ordered for kerosene," he said.

However petrol stations have expressed confidence that the shortage will end soon as major depots have started acquiring kerosene from the refinery at Changamwe. Kenya Oil Refinery General Manager John Murutu dismissed the fuel shortage at the refinery which is the main supplier.

This comes after the Energy Regulatory Commission announced new prices last Friday. Motorists are now paying Sh105.70 for a litre of petrol two shillings and five cents up from sh.103.2. Diesel is selling at sh97.8 up from sh.93.8. ERC has attributed the increase to an upward trend in prices for crude and refined petroleum products in the international market.