Just in case the ministers in charge of commerce and energy do not have access to news from Kenya, they would be advised to do so immediately.

Kenya is our main lifeline and should therefore be the centre of our undivided attention; because whenever there is a crisis like the post election violence last year, it is inland countries like ours that suffer the most.

Now another crisis– however not violent– is looming and the ministers mentioned above would be well advised to pay attention.

Kenya has announced that it will shut its oil refinery in the coastal town of Mombasa in June for maintenance purposes.

Though the Kenyan authorities did not say how long the refinery will be out of operation, the news does not auger well with Rwanda.

Everyone remembers the fuel crisis last December, that had the government not come out and bailed out fuel importers, pump prices would have doubled there-by creating a domino effect on all other essentials; food, services, goods, transport, etc.

Though at the time there was no early warning, the government managed, albeit at a great financial loss, to fend off the crisis.

The country now has a five-month early warning, so there should be no excuse should officials be caught napping. The talk that the country is thinking of increasing its fuel storage facilities should be put into immediate action with a sense of urgency.

It does not need a lot of imagination to realize that we have what it takes to avert the crisis. What quickly comes to mind is the monthly Umuganda and convicts serving their time in TIG (community service).

With good planning, we have enough manpower to avert another fuel crisis and build as many reservoirs as we need. Just thinking out aloud.

Ends