NAIROBI, Kenya – This evening at 5:30 p.m. Nairobi time, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has officially released its latest fuel price review for the May-June cycle, dealing a severe blow to Kenyan consumers already contending with a nationwide localized fuel shortage.
Effective midnight tonight, prices will be up Sh. 7.50 for a liter of Super Petrol, Sh. 5.20 for Diesel, and Sh. 4.80 for Kerosene. These hikes bring petrol prices in Nairobi to an unprecedented Sh. 220.40 per liter – the highest in the country’s history.
Evening Breakdown – Immediate Fallout
Price Shock – In Mombasa, petrol will retail at Sh. 217.15, while towns as far as Mandera will see prices skyrocket beyond Sh. 235.
Pump Closures – Just minutes after the announcement, some stations that still had fuel in Nairobi’s CBD and Westlands, motorists allege, have turned off their pumps. Owners, the angry motorists charge, are hoarding fuel in order to sell it at the new higher prices after midnight.
Transport Crisis – MOA, Matatu Owners Association, issues a state of emergency and says expect bus fares to hike between 20-30% on all main routes, starting tomorrow morning.
Why the Rise in prices
The reasons cited by the EPRA were the persistent fall in the value of the Kenyan Shilling against the US Dollar and a 12% rise in the landing cost of imported refined petroleum products. Critically, the government has decided to abandon the fuel subsidy it had relied on to absorb some of the hikes in previous months.
“The adjustment is a direct reflection of the international market forces and the landing cost at the Port of Mombasa. We urge Kenyans to remain calm and not resort to panic buying,” said a senior EPRA official during a short virtual media briefing.
The Dr. Obwaka Case – Parallel Emergency
Just as Kenya grapples with an deepening fuel crisis this evening, the DCI has taken full responsibility of investigating the death of Dr. Obwaka. Following a statement from the doctor’s widow this afternoon claiming political interference with the investigations and foul play from State House, a specialised forensic team were seen entering the Obwaka residence in Karen just 30 minutes ago.
Context – Why This Matters
This fuel hike represents a “triple threat” to Kenyans – nationwide shortages at pumps, the instability caused by political interference in the by-election campaigns, and a budget crunch at State House. For the average citizen, the cost of living will have the biggest leap since January. In Mogadishu, the cost of fuel is already seeing a spike reflecting this regional instability and increased transit cost at the border will likely affect trade beginning sunrise.
What to expect
7 PM – National address by the opposition on the “unbearable cost of living.”
8:30 PM – Expected traffic gridlock as Kenyans race to fill their tanks.
Midnight – new fuel prices take effect.
