The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union has condemned the harassment of fuel attendants amid public complaints over fuel costs and supply issues.
The union issued a statement on Monday, June 1, warning against the unfair blame directed at frontline workers. It stated that attendants are not responsible for fuel production, supply chains, or quality control.
“KPOWU strongly condemns the growing tendency to unfairly blame fuel attendants for issues that are often beyond their control,” the statement read. The union noted that operational problems often stem from supplier issues, equipment failures, or power interruptions.
A video shared by the union showed a customer at a Rubis Energy station in Hurlingham, Nairobi, accusing attendants of theft during a dispute. The union urged the public, employers, and regulators to address root causes instead of targeting workers.