Key fuel pumps shutdown raises fears of shortage

Some Kenya Pipeline pumps have had no power since Tuesday, raising fears of a fuel shortage during the festive season.

The power interruption, which Kenya Power attributes to vandalism of a high voltage line, affected pumping stations along the Mombasa-Nairobi line and will take up to two days to repair.

As a result, the pipeline is operating at half of its capacity. Some residents along Mombasa Road also have no power. The power supply was interrupted after vandals brought down a high voltage line that supplies them with power.

Two towers on the line collapsed at Lukenya, Machakos County after steel structures that strengthen them were stolen. The power firm has mobilised its employees, two cranes and a helicopter to speed up the repairs.

“The repair teams worked throughout the night to restore the steel towers that weigh up to 50 tonnes,” a statement from Kenya Power read.

Kenya Power’s chief transmission manager, Mr Sammy Muita, said he expected the reconstruction of the two towers to be completed by on Wednesday. Power will then be restored to customers along Mombasa Road.

Kenya Pipeline managing director Selest Kilinda told Nation on Wednesday that as a result of the power outage, the product flow from Mombasa to Nairobi is just above 40 per cent.

Establish the cause

The installed flow rate along the Mombasa-Nairobi line is 880,000 litres per hour. However, Mr Kilinda said the flow rate has slowed to 370,000 litres per hour since 8.30pm Wednesday night.

“Around 11.45am in the morning (on Tuesday), the pipeline stopped working. We thought that it was the normal power blackout and it took about two hours for Kenya Power to establish the cause,” the KPC boss said.

KPC operates the Mombasa–Nairobi Pipeline, which has eight pumping stations located at Mombasa, Samburu, Maungu, Manyani, Mutitu Andei, Makindu, Sultan Hamud and Konza.

Until 8.30pm on Tuesday, it was running five stations to Makindu but Mr Kilinda said these later increased to six after Kenya Power provided alternative supply.

The booster stations at Sultan Hamud and Konza do not have power, thus slowing down the flow rate.

“We have been trying to maintain that flow rate and we shall catch up once Kenya Power restores power,” he said.

Kenya Power said it had provided alternative power supply from the Mombasa side of the power line to KPC pumping stations. Mr Kilinda however, appealed for calm, saying, there is sufficient product in Nairobi and Western regions.

“This vandalism is tantamount to economic sabotage as our business requires high voltage power,” he said.

The ministry of energy has also permitted oil marketers to track products from Mombasa to cover for any shortage that may arise.

Fuel demand is expected to increase this week as many Kenyans travel for Christmas and New Year holidays. Any severe disruption of fuel supply may result in shortages and increased fares.