NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 15 – Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir has said that there is nothing the government can do to reduce current high fuel prices.
The CS told the National Assembly’s Energy Committee that the soaring prices are due to volatility in the global crude oil market.
Chirchir also predicted tougher times ahead.
“We are dealing with several governments and the suppliers of these products. We are likely to be going to even harder times,” Chirchir told Parliamentarians.
“There is nothing much we can do about it. It is just unfortunate that we do not have our own products,” the CS added.
His statement comes a few hours after Trade CS Moses Kuria warned Kenyans to prepare for the even higher cost of petrol, diesel, and kerosene, as their prices are expected to rise by Sh10 monthly until February 2024.
“Global Crude Prices are on an upward trajectory. For planning purposes expect pump prices to go up by Ksh 10 every month till February,” he posted on his X app account.
The expected rise in prices will hurt Kenyans, who are already battling with high fuel prices.
Only yesterday midnight, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revised upwards fuel prices for petrol, diesel, and kerosen by Sh16.96, Sh21.32, and Sh33.13, respectively.
Now, a liter of petrol, diesel, and kerosene retial at Sh211.64, Sh200.99, and Sh202.61 per liter, respectively, in Nairobi.
“The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 4.80% from US$739.21 per cubic metre in July 2023 to US$774.67 per cubic metre in August 2023; Diesel increased by 12.52% from US$701.99 per cubic metre to US$789.89 per cubic metre while Kerosene increased by 19.79% from US$690.58 per cubic metre to US$827.26 per cubic metre,” EPRA announced yesterday evening.
The new prices are likely to affect several sectors, like food and transport, with public transport providers planning to increase fares.
