The Kenya Petroleum Oil Workers Union (KPOWU) has raised alarm over an increasing wave of reported harassment targeting fuel attendants amid rising complaints and operational pressures at petrol stations.

In a statement released on Monday, June 1, 2026, KPOWU warned against intimidation and disrespect that disrupt fuel attendants while they are performing their duties.

“KPOWU strongly condemns the growing tendency to unfairly blame fuel attendants for issues that are often beyond their control,” the statement read in part.

This comes amid public outcry over rising fuel costs and concerns about supply availability, leaving motorists and the transport sector frustrated as they await the government’s promised price reductions.

The union emphasised that attendants are not involved in fuel production, supply chain decisions or quality control processes, noting that their role is centred on serving customers effectively.

“Fuel attendants are frontline workers whose responsibility is to serve customers safely, professionally, and efficiently. They do not refine fuel, determine fuel quality, manage supply chains, or make corporate procurement decisions,” KPOWU said.

Customers have been urged to consider the factors that may cause challenges experienced at fuel stations beyond attendants’ control.

“Before accusations are directed at workers, it is important to recognise that operational challenges can arise from numerous factors, including supplier issues, equipment malfunctions, storage complications, system failures, power interruptions, or other technical and logistical circumstances outside the authority of frontline employees,” the union stated.

According to KPOWU, holding petrol attendants personally responsible for claimed fuel-related issues is unfair and undermines the dignity of labour. It said that such actions do not address operational issues and instead violate workers’ rights.

The union has called on employers, regulators and members of the public to focus on identifying the root causes of disputes rather than blaming frontline workers.

Alongside the statement, KPOWU shared a video depicting one of the incidents behind the concerns that prompted the statement.

The footage shows a customer at a fuel station in Nairobi, filming attendants during a fueling dispute.

In the video, the customer is seen speaking disrespectfully to the attendants, calling them thieves and urging members of the public not to use the station.