Fuel shortages in Kenya are due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The assertion that fuel shortages in Kenya are a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East requires careful examination, considering various contributing factors beyond a singular global event. While President William Ruto explicitly linked the Middle East conflict to disruptions in global oil and gas supply, as reported by KBC Digital, his primary concern in that statement was directed at oil marketers, warning against the creation of an "artificial fuel shortage." This suggests that even if global supply chains are affected, the Kenyan market might also be grappling with internal issues exacerbating any potential shortage. Indeed, the observed fuel disruptions in Kenya appear to have multiple proximate causes. Reports indicate that several petrol stations operated by Vivo Energy experienced supply disruptions, with the company itself attributing these "temporary stock-outs" at some Shell stations to "increased demand for our products." This explanation from Vivo Energy Kenya, detailing their efforts to replenish affected sites, points towards a localized demand-supply imbalance rather than an immediate, widespread unavailability of fuel at the port or country level directly caused by international conflict. Such a scenario could arise from logistical challenges, panic buying, or even strategic stockholding by distributors in anticipation of price changes. Interestingly, the period under review also saw a notable drop in fuel prices, with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (