Kenya begins fuel exports to Rwanda through Mombasa

The first consignment of Rwandan-bound 40,000 metric tonnes of petrol and diesel docked at the Port of Mombasa, marking a new era for Kenya as the gateway into Rwanda. According to Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, the consignment, which is equivalent to nearly three months of Rwanda’s consumption, is set to grow Rwanda-bound volumes through the Northern Corridor tenfold, from 60,000 cubic metres to 600,000 cubic metres annually. The deal between Kenya and Rwanda will see Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Pipeline Company transit revenue multiply, cementing Kenya as the regional energy hub even as competition with Dar es Salaam’s Central Corridor intensifies. Kenya Pipeline Company says the 1,342-kilometre pipeline network is ready to absorb the volumes without affecting local supply, noting that the pipeline has a 14-billion-litre annual capacity and 1.138-billion-litre storage, which should be more than sufficient to serve the region’s needs. The fuel will be moved via the KPC pipeline to Kisumu Oil Jetty, then through the lake route to Rwanda. Rwandan officials have lauded Kenya, saying the new route through Mombasa diversifies its supply and strengthens energy security amid global shipping disruptions.