Kenyans will have to dig deeper into their pockets after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced an increase in fuel prices for the January-February review period.
In a statement released on January 14, EPRA revealed that the maximum allowed pump prices for Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene would increase by Ksh0.29, Ksh2.00, and Ksh3.00 per litre, respectively. This means that in Nairobi, Super Petrol will now retail at Ksh176.58, Diesel at Ksh167.06, and Kerosene at Ksh151.39, effective midnight.
“The prices are inclusive of the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the provisions of the Finance Act 2025, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, and the revised rates for excise duty adjusted for inflation as per Legal Notice No. 194 of 2000,” read part of the statement.
Despite the modest increase in prices, EPRA attributed the adjustment to fluctuations in the international landed costs of petroleum products.
The regulator noted that while the landed cost of Super Petrol and Kerosene decreased, the landed cost of Diesel saw a slight increase, which influenced the upward trend in prices.
“The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol decreased by 0.54%, from US$617.12 per cubic metre in November 2024 to US$611.69 per cubic metre in December 2024. Diesel, on the other hand, increased by 0.06%, from US$643.69 per cubic metre to US$654.10 per cubic metre. The landed cost of Kerosene dropped significantly by 12%, from US$660.30 per cubic metre to US$619.64 per cubic metre during the same period,” EPRA explained.
The new prices will remain in effect for the next 30 days, running from January 15 to February 14, 2025.
This announcement has left many Kenyans disappointed, as they had hoped for price stability given the relatively stable exchange rate of the Shilling in recent months. The increase is expected to raise the cost of living further, impacting transport and household budgets.
EPRA reassured the public that it remains committed to ensuring fair pricing while reflecting global market trends. However, the price hike adds pressure on households already grappling with high costs of essential goods and services.
