Kenyan violence hits fuel supply

Violence in Kenya has made it difficult to transport essential goods

Violence in Kenya has led to fuel shortages throughout East Africa, as fuel destined for nearby countries remains stuck in Kenyan ports.

Delayed deliveries have hit Uganda, while the Rwandan government has ordered fuel rationing, reports say.

Many landlocked countries rely on fuel deliveries from Kenya, an economic powerhouse in the region.

More than 300 people have died since last week's election in Kenya, which the opposition say was rigged.

The Rwandan government has ordered petrol stations to ration fuel, with commuter taxis that ply the capital Kigali limited to 10 litres a day, Rwanda's New Times reported.

The Rwandan government is also talking to Tanzania about sourcing alternative fuel supplies, it said.

Trickling through

The crisis has led to fuel shortages and price rises in Uganda.

A convoy of 36 trucks arrived in Uganda on Thursday, local media reported, having been stuck in Kenya for several days.

But it is nowhere near enough, said businessman Anil Sunderji at Swift Commodities.

"There are still big lines to get fuel, I don't think it is enough, it is just a drop in the bucket," he told the BBC.

With hardly any traffic in Kampala, prices of maize have risen about 30% as there is no fuel to transport maize from rural areas to the capital, he said.

Nearby Burundi has also felt the impact.

"Burundi is feeling the effect, there is already a jet fuel shortage at Bujumbura international airport," Joan Njoroge, acting general manager of South Africa's Engen Petroleum told the Reuters news agency.

"The risk won't be only oil prices going up, but there will be an oil shortage, which is very dangerous for Burundi (economically)," she added.