- EPRA has increased fuel prices again, making Kenya the most expensive in the East African region.
- Petrol now costs Ksh 186.31 in Nairobi, with diesel at Ksh 171.58 and kerosene at Ksh 156.58.
- The government blames global market trends and regional conflicts for the spike.
- President Ruto’s earlier pledges to dismantle fuel cartels now haunt his administration.
- Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia are recording lower fuel costs through various policies.
- The new prices are likely to increase the cost of living and transport within Kenya.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has reviewed fuel prices upwards, pushing Kenya to the top of East Africa’s fuel cost list. Petrol went up by Ksh 8.99, diesel by Ksh. 8.67, and kerosene by Ksh.. 9.65. These new rates mean that a litre of petrol in Nairobi now costs Ksh. 186.31, while diesel and kerosene retail at Ksh.. 171.58 and Ksh.. 156.58 respectively.
EPRA said the increase came as a result of higher international prices for imported fuel. Treasury CS John Mbadi added that political tensions such as the Israel-Iran conflict have affected the flow of oil globally, leading to the rise. However, many Kenyans are not buying this reasoning and have started comparing today’s leadership to past promises.
In 2022, during his campaigns, President William Ruto questioned why countries like Uganda, which rely on Kenya for fuel delivery, still had cheaper pump prices than Kenya. He blamed what he called “fuel cartels” and promised to deal with them once elected. Today, however, Kenya leads the region in fuel prices, exactly what he vowed to fix.
“How can fuel in Kampala, which relies on Kenya for its supply, be cheaper than here, where it enters the country?” – Ruto, 2022
Unlike Kenya, other East African countries are working to protect their citizens from such economic shocks. In Tanzania, prices dropped in early July, with petrol retailing at Ksh.. 142.70. Officials there credit their stable currency for the change. In Uganda, petrol costs around Ksh 182.21, and the government is shifting fuel imports to Tanzania to avoid Kenyan delays.
Rwanda has also kept fuel prices manageable, with petrol going for Ksh 161.32 and diesel at Ksh. 157.21. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, despite facing unrest after removing fuel subsidies, still sells petrol at just Ksh 114.49 per litre.
The recent fuel adjustments are expected to affect the cost of transport and food in Kenya, piling more pressure on ordinary citizens already struggling with inflation. Analysts say that unless Kenya finds better ways to manage its energy policies, the country might continue suffering from decisions that its neighbours seem to be avoiding through smarter planning.
Kenya’s position in the region is now under scrutiny, with many wondering why the country, despite being a key fuel gateway, continues to suffer the most from fuel-related hardships.
