The government has allayed fears of jet fuel shortage in the country following an incident in which flights were delayed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) Thursday morning.
While affirming that there was indeed a hitch that affected most airlines, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said this was immediately addressed.
He attributed it to a hitch in the pumping system of the jet fuel.
"There was indeed a small incident but that was resolved in less than one and half hours and flights resumed," he said.
Speaking during a tour of the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) in Mombasa, Wandayi asserted that the country has an adequate supply of fuel and does not foresee any shortage whatsoever.
He said under the G-to-G arrangement, the issue of fuel shortages would never arise.
"We do not foresee a shortage of jet fuel or any kind of fuel in the foreseeable future under G-to-G deal," he said.
The CS further stated that the government has put in place elaborate mechanisms to ensure a steady supply of fuel for domestic use and even the region.
Currently, he said Kenya serves Uganda under a different model adding DRC, South Sudan and Rwanda set to return soon.
He revealed that there are plans to amalgamate the KPRL with the Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC).
During this process, he said the refinery would be taken over by the corporation in a bid to ensure efficiency.
Wandayi was accompanied by a Kenya Pipeline Corporation managing director Joe Sang and his Kenya Ports Authority counterpart William Ruto.
Among the airlines that were affected by the fuel supply at JKIA are Jambojet and Kenya Airways (KQ).
"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and we shall do our best to minimise the disruptions," Jambojet said.
KQ, in a statement, cited maintenance of the fuel hydrants "that extended beyond the planned duration" at JKIA for the hitch.
