An acute fuel shortage in petrol stations situated in various towns in Kajiado has left motorist and bodaboda riders digging deep into their pockets as some rogue dealers are now selling a litre of petrol at Ksh250 against EPRA standard price of Ksh179 per litre.
While satellite towns including Kitengela, Kiserian, Ong'ata Rongai, Ngong, Isinya and Kajiado are selling the essential commodity at the recommended price, Ilbisil, Ng'atatek and Maili Tisa dealers have hiked the prices citing shortage.
At Ilbisil town, motorist and bodaboda riders remained stranded on Friday and Saturday as only a single petrol station had fuel selling at Ksh250 per litre.
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Motorists mainly private vehicles who scrambled for petrol were not allowed to buy more than 10litres.
Motorist and bodaboda riders cried foul over the hiked prices saying it is exploitation that is likely to kick them out of business.
Most public service vehicles(PSVs) remain parked as owners say passengers cannot pay double charges for fares.
"We are out of business until fuel prices on our towns are at par with other regions. Passengers are canceling their journeys upon realizing that we have to charge double initial charges," Mungai Geoffrey, a matatu owner, said.
Residents and motorist now want EPRA and other concerned stakeholders to intervene by blacklisting rogue dealers exploiting them.
" The only excuse the petrol station attendants are giving us on what occasioned the prices increment is that there is a shortage. We are wondering if fuel is sold based on excuses while we clearly know prices are regulated. To us, this is unnecessary exploitation that needs to be addressed urgently, " Alex Seuri, a rider, decried.
A spot check to the busy towns along the Nairobi Namanga highway indicated that the town's streets have been reduced to parking lots of PSVs and motorcycles.
