Kenyans motorists have begun crossing into Uganda in search of cheaper fuel at the pump station in the border district of Busia. They say the prices in Uganda seem to be lower than those in their country.
As fuel prices increase in most countries, a section of Kenyans from Busia County and other neighboring counties in Kenya have resorted to fueling their vehicles and motorcycles, while others cross the porous borders with jerrycans to buy fuel.
In an interview with some of the Kenyans found at Shell petrol stations in Busia town, they said that fuel prices in Kenya range between KShs: 171.4 of six thousand shillings in Uganda currency.
Some have indicated that some fuel stations in Kenya were selling a litre of petrol at two hundred Kenyan Shillings, which amounts to seven thousand Shillings in Uganda Shillings.
Kelvin Omondi, a motorcycle boda-boda rider from Busia County in Kenya, said that he opted to begin fueling his motorcycle from the Uganda side after discovering that some petrol stations have lower fuel prices.
Joseph Makokha Orange, another rider, said that they usually come to Uganda with jerrycans to buy fuel in large quantities for resale at a profit in Kenya.
Emmanuel Olara, the manager of Shell petrol station in Busia town, said that currently most of their clients are Kenyans.
The fuel price at Shell is still low compared to other stations. He added that they do not expect the fuel price to over hike, and the current situation should not make the motorists overreact.
Kennedy Makokha, a boda-boda rider at Majanji road stage in Busia town, said that he suspended riding passengers plying longer routes due to the high fuel prices.
Mangeni Buchaman, another motorcycle boda-boda rider in Busia town, said, ” It’s still hard for them to hike transport fares because passengers are still locked in with the normal fares, and this is leaving them into losses.
He is worried that the situation will worsen as their Kenyans counterparts are rushing for Uganda fuel.
Joseph Ojambo, the chairperson of Busia motorcycle boda-boda riders, cyclists, and allied workers, said that, the hiking of fuel prices has forced most riders out of the business.
He said that the number of boda-boda riders in the Busia town stages has reduced by almost 50 percent. URN