Fuel Prices Up in Latest ERC Review with the Common Man Still on the Receiving End

Motorists who have been enjoying low fuel prices in the past one month will have to feel a little heat in the next month after the prices went slightly up in the latest Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) review.

In the latest review, a liter of super petrol has gone up by 1.26 shillings, diesel by 65 cents and kerosene by 2.96 shillings though still lower than what was recorded in January.

Those in Nairobi will pay 101.35 shillings for a liter of super petrol, 96.61 shillings for a liter of diesel and 99.46 shillings for a liter of kerosene.

Before the latest review, fuel consumers have been paying 100.09 shillings for a liter of super petrol, 95.96 shillings for a liter of diesel and 96.50 shillings for a liter of kerosene after reducing by 4.12, 6.28 and 5.20 shillings respectively.

The latest increase has been attributed to the slight increase in the landed cost of diesel which went up by 2.79 percent from 546.42 US dollars in January to 561.64 US dollars per ton in February.

The landed cost of kerosene spiked by 9.16 percent to 650.29 US dollars from 595.64 US dollars in comparison to January while the landed cost of super petrol went up by 3.71 percent from 548.20 US dollars per ton to 568.55 US dollars per ton.

No Positive Impact on Kenyans

Majority of Kenyans rarely feel the positive impact of the oscillating fuel prices. Millions of Kenyans who use public transport on a daily basis, often expect transport costs to come down every time fuel prices are reduced. This has never been the case.

Prices of basic commodities such as maize flour should be priced depending on the prices of fuel but this has never reflected in the event fuel prices go down. Every time fuel prices go down, it cuts down across all sectors including the manufacturing sector where the cost of production is reduced.