More Pain At The Pump: Fuel Prices Spike Amid Other Choking Taxes

Kenyans who hoped for a reprieve at the pump were in for a rude shock after the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) increased the prices of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene.

The price of a liter of super petrol went up by 2.38 shillings, diesel by 3.11 shillings and that of kerosene by 2.99 shillings.

The increase in fuel prices now sets a liter of super petrol in Nairobi at 118.11 shillings, diesel at 112.83 shillings and kerosene at 111.83 shillings.

Motorists in Mombasa will pay a relatively lower price of 115.48 shillings for super petrol, 110.21 shillings for diesel and 109.20 shillings for kerosene.

Those in Thika and Machakos will pay a similar price of 118.24 shillings for super petrol, 112.97 shillings for diesel and 111.96 shillings for kerosene.

Residents of Mandera will pay the highest price due to the cost of transportation from Mombasa. They will have to part with 130.97 shillings for super petrol, 125.69 shillings for diesel and 124.68 shillings for kerosene.

Those in Marsabit will pay 124.53 shillings for super petrol, 119.27 shillings for diesel and 118.25 shillings for kerosene while those in Liboi will part with 124.04 shillings for super petrol, 119.76 shillings for diesel and 118.76 shillings for kerosene.

Nakuru motorists will pay 118.57 shillings for super petrol, 113.51 shillings for diesel and 112.50 shillings for kerosene while those in Eldoret will part with 119.57 shillings for super petrol, 114.50 shillings for diesel and 113.50 shillings for kerosene.

Kisumu residents will pay 119.56 shillings for super petrol, 114.50 shillings for diesel and 113.49 shillings for kerosene in prices that became effective on Wednesday midnight.

The recent increase of fuel prices is set to increase the prices of basic commodities that will, in turn, push up the inflation for the month. The government is already charging a uniform tax of 8 percent on all petroleum products and the recent increase only adds more pains to Kenyans.