Residents of Nakuru are grappling with a fuel shortage that has disrupted transport and driven up travel costs, with several Matatu Saccos increasing fares.
A spot check in Nakuru City and its outskirts revealed long queues at the few petrol stations still dispensing fuel, while others remained closed or had run out of fuel entirely.
Fuel shortage in Nakuru forces matatus to hike fares
Motorists, boda boda operators and public service vehicle operators have been forced to spend hours in line, hoping to secure the limited supply.
The situation has hit the public transport sector hardest, with matatu operators warning that their operations are becoming unsustainable.
Kevin Chumo, an official at Satima Sacco, said that the shortage has significantly reduced the number of vehicles on the road. This has, in turn, created high demand, further pushing up fares.
Mr Chumo noted that the Sacco, which mostly ferries passengers from Nakuru to Nairobi, has increased fares from Sh450 to Sh600 due to the shortage.
He said it has been a challenge for matatus to pick up passengers in Nakuru due to the limited fuel supply.
“We have no choice but to increase fares because fuel is scarce and expensive where available. Some of us spend the whole night looking for fuel. If we don’t adjust fares, we cannot operate,” he said.
James Gitonga, a motorist travelling to Eldoret from Nyeri who was fueling in one of the petrol stations, said that due to the shortage, he was forced to use V-Power, which is more expensive.
“I am travelling from Mwea, and all the way through Nyeri and Karatina, petrol stations were reporting fuel shortages. We are beginning to feel the pain at the pump,” he said.
Boda boda riders have also not been spared with many saying they have reduced their trips or temporarily halted operations, saying the little fuel they find is too expensive.
A petrol attendant at Shell petrol station in Nakuru fuels a motorbike on April 7, 2026, amid fuel shortage.
Photo credit: Boniface Mwangi | Nation Media Group
“We are suffering. You can’t get fuel easily, and when you do, it’s at a higher price. Customers also complain when we increase charges,” said one rider at a stage in the town centre.
Commuters travelling from the town centre to estates such as Lanet, Free Area, Kiamunyi and Pipeline are now paying up to Sh80 more than the usual fare, depending on the distance and time of day.
Residents have expressed frustration over the situation, calling on authorities to intervene and stabilise fuel supply noting that during peak hours, they have seen fares nearly double, leaving many residents stranded or forced to seek alternative means of transport.
“For the past two days I have had to wake up earlier than usual just to get to work on time because matatus are few and fares are high. This is affecting our daily lives and budgets,” said a resident.
