A deepening crisis is brewing at Kenya's fuel pumps, pushing the nation to the unenviable position of having the most expensive fuel in the entire East African region. This alarming reality has been starkly underscored by the recent sharp increase in prices, a move by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) that has triggered widespread public outcry and concern over the escalating cost of living.
On Monday, EPRA announced a significant upward adjustment in fuel costs: petrol surged by Ksh.8.99, diesel by Ksh.8.67, and kerosene by Ksh.9.65 per litre. Consequently, a litre of petrol in Nairobi now retails at a staggering Ksh.186.31, with diesel at Ksh.171.58 and kerosene at Ksh.156.58. This dramatic hike marks the first time fuel costs have changed by such a wide margin, making it a critical talking point across the country.
The ripple effect of this sharp increase is anticipated to be immediate and severe, particularly impacting essential sectors like food and transportation. The elevated operational costs for businesses are highly likely to be passed directly on to consumers, further burdening households already grappling with economic pressures.
EPRA attributed the latest increment to the "landed cost" of fuel products, a sentiment echoed by Treasury CS John Mbadi, who pointed to the volatile global oil market, specifically citing the Israel-Iran war, as a primary culprit.
However, these explanations stand in stark contrast to pledges made during the campaign period. Then-candidate William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) stalwarts vehemently attacked former President Uhuru Kenyatta over rising fuel prices, promising to dismantle alleged cartels driving corruption within the government. "Ile cartel ya ufisadi iko pale ndio inasababisha bei ya mafuta kuzidi bei ya mafuta Uganda. Na hiyo mafuta inapitia Kenya ikienda Uganda. Jameni unaeza kutueleza vipi ati bei ya mafuta hapa Kenya, ambapo ni karibu na mahali mafuta inatoka, iko bei juu kuliko Uganda na Kampala inachukua mafuta kutoka hapa kwetu," Dr. Ruto questioned passionately in 2022, challenging why Kenyan prices were higher than Uganda's despite proximity to supply. He even directly blamed "corruption cartels at the Ministry of Petroleum" for alleged increased dealer profits.
The recent hike has drawn significant public backlash, as many Kenyans question why global market trends would impact their country so severely while neighbouring nations appear to be navigating them differently. A spot check by Kush Concert Series revealed that, in stark contrast to Kenya, fuel prices in Tanzania actually dropped during their latest review on July 1, 2025. This disparity fuels public frustration, intensifying calls for greater transparency and accountability from energy sector regulators and the government, as citizens grapple with the escalating cost of essential goods and services.
