The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport nearly plunged into a crisis last week following the shortage of jet fuel that saw airlines restricted from fuelling at the facility.
The move was blamed on oil marketers who ordered less fuel than the existing demand, hence creating a deficit.
The Kenya Pipeline Company, a state owned firm that manages the oil pipes and provide storage for fuel, argues that it is time the country established a reservoir for oil, just as it is the case with food reserves.
“The recent scenario highlights the importance of having an oil reservoir in the country to forestall supply challenges in the event of a shortage,” said KPC acting managing director Hudson Andambi.
Mr Andambi says the shortage would have been prevented if the oil marketers brought in sufficient stocks to meet the demand.
Oil marketers insist that the stocks they had ordered were sufficient to last until the next consignment.