Fuel prices have arguably been the most talked about issue in Kenya, both online and offline.
This year, fuel prices hiked to historical highs, crossing the Ksh200 mark in September, when the retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi rose to Ksh211.64, Diesel Ksh200.99, and Kerosene Ksh202.61.
On December 14, 2023, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced new prices, reducing the retail prices of Super Petrol by Ksh5, diesel by Ksh2 and kerosene by Ksh4 per litre.
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Here's how fuel prices have changed from December 2022 to December 2023:
December 2022
In December 2022, fuel prices remained unchanged, which left a litre of Super Petrol retailing at Ksh177.3, Diesel at Ksh162 and Kerosene at Ksh145.94.
The government announced that it would utilise the Petroleum Development Levy to retain the prevailing fuel prices at that time.
"The price of Diesel has been cross-subsidized with that of Super Petrol while a subsidy of Kshs25.07 /litre has been maintained for Kerosene in order to cushion consumers horn the otherwise high prices. The Government will utilise the Petroleum Development Levy to compensate oil marketing companies for the difference in cost," the government stated in December 2022.
January 2023
In the period between January 15 and February 14, 2023, fuel prices remained unchanged, again, with the Petroleum Development Levy being used for subsidy.
A litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi retailed at Ksh177.3, Diesel at Ksh162 and Kerosene at Ksh145.94.
February 2023
In the period between February 15 and March 14, 2023, fuel prices remained unchanged, again, with the Petroleum Development Levy being used for subsidy.
A litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi retailed at Ksh177.3, Diesel at Ksh162 and Kerosene at Ksh145.94.
March 2023
Between March 15 and April 14, 2023, EPRA increased the maximum allowed petroleum pump price of Super Petrol by Ksh2 per litre while that of Diesel and Kerosene remained unchanged.
As a result, the retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi was Ksh179.3, Diesel Ksh162 and Kerosene Ksh145.94.
April 2023
In April, fuel prices remained unchanged.
The retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi was Ksh179.3, Diesel Ksh162 and Kerosene Ksh145.94.
May 2023
On May 14, EPRA announced the removal of subsidies on Diesel and Kerosene, which saw the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in the country increase by Ksh3.40 per litre, Ksh6.40 per litre
and Ksh15.19 per litre for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene respectively.
The retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi hiked to Ksh182.70, Diesel Ksh168.40 and Kerosene Ksh161.13.
June 2023
In June, EPRA decreased the prices of Super Petrol and Diesel by Ksh0.66 per litre and Ksh1.12 per litre respectively while Kerosene increased by Ksh0.35 per litre.
The retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi stood at Ksh182.04, Diesel Ksh167.28 and Kerosene Ksh161.48.
On June 30, EPRA further increased the prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene by Ksh13.49 per litre, Ksh12.39 per litre and Ksh11.96 per litre respectively.
This hiked pump prices for Super Petrol in Nairobi to Ksh195.53, Diesel Ksh179.67 and Kerosene Ksh173.44.
July 2023
On July 14, EPRA reviewed the prices of Super Petrol and Kerosene downwards by Ksh0.85 per litre and Ksh3.96 per litre respectively while Diesel remained unchanged.
This saw pump prices for Super Petrol in Nairobi stand at Ksh194.68, Diesel Ksh179.67 and Kerosene Ksh169.48.
August 2023
In the August review, EPRA retained fuel prices at Ksh194.68 for Super Petrol, Ksh179.67 for Diesel and Ksh169.48 for Kerosene.
The prices were expected to shoot to a new high due to higher international prices and the recently approved 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
However, the government reintroduced fuel subsidies to stabilise prices.
September 2023
In September, fuel prices rose to a historical high as EPRA increased Super Petrol prices by Ksh16.96, Diesel by Ksh21.32 and Kerosene by Ksh33.13.
This saw the retail price of a litre of Super Petrol in Nairobi rise to Ksh211.64, Diesel Ksh200.99, and Kerosene Ksh202.61.
October 2023
On October 14, 2023, EPRA increased the pump prices for Super Petrol by Ksh5.72 per litre, Diesel by Ksh4.48 per litre and Kerosene by Ksh2.45 per litre.
Following the increment, the price of Super Petrol hit a new high of Ksh217.36, Diesel Ksh205.47 and Kerosene Ksh205.06.
November 2023
In November, the maximum allowed petroleum pump price for Super Petrol remained unchanged while that of Diesel and Kerosene decreased by Ksh2.00 per litre.
As a result, the retail price for Super Petrol remained at Ksh217.36 while Diesel and Kerosene decreased to Ksh203.47 and Ksh203.06 respectively.
December 2023
In the December review, EPRA reduced the prices of Super Petrol by Ksh5, Diesel by Ksh2 and Kerosene by Ksh4 per litre.
Following the reduction, the price of Super Petrol in Nairobi is now Ksh212.36, Diesel is retailing at Ksh201.47 whereas Kerosene now costs Ksh.199.05 per litre.
In one year, the retail price for Super Petrol has increased by Ksh35.06 (19.9%), Diesel by Ksh39.47 (24.4%) and Kerosene by Ksh53.11 (36.4%).
