Kenyans Slam EPRA After Reducing Fuel Prices By Just KSh 5 In Latest Review: "Ni Kama Mnalazimishwa"

• The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has released its latest review of prices, effective December 15
• EPRA announced that the maximum pump price for super petrol has decreased by KSh 5.00 per litre, Diesel by KSh 2.00 per litre, and Kerosene by KSh 4.01 per litre
• However, Kenyans are not happy with the latest prices, many arguing the reduction margin was too small to have any impact

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kenyans have expressed their displeasure with the latest review of fuel prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

On Thursday, December 14, EPRA released the revised maximum retail prices for petroleum products, effective from December 15, 2023, to January 14, 2024.

From the data released by EPRA, the price of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene decreased by KSh 5, KSh 2, and KSh 4.01 per litre, respectively.

"In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump price for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene decreased by .., . and . per litre respectively. In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will now retail at KSh 212.36, 201.47 & KSh 199.05 effective midnight for the next 30 days," EPRA said.

While making the changes, EPRA said it considered the substantial decline in the average landing cost of imported petroleum products.

However, Kenyans are not satisfied with the price announced by EPRA, with many saying they expected petroleum prices to reduce by a bigger margin.

How Kenyans reacted to fuel prices changes

Many questioned why global fuel prices had decreased by a more significant margin compared to what EPRA was giving Kenyans.

Disappointed Kenyans suggested that the latest petroleum prices will not greatly impact people's pockets.

Foxtail:

"Hapa kuna calculations error mkuu. Global fuel prices decreased by 16% lakini yenu inadrop by 2%!"

Grigor_Andolov:

"Not commensurate with the global decline."

jack:

"Hii nikama kuchuna ndovu."

Kimeli Misoy:

"This is a mockery of the Kenyans; we were looking at around 40-50 shillings drop in price.

Mãssêy:

"Globally, the rates are going down drastically...yenu ni kama mnalazimishwa! You are doing nobody a favour!!"

"Still nothing to smile about."

Why Raila wanted fuel price reduced by KSh 50

Meanwhile, Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga wanted the government to significantly reduce the price of fuel to no less than KSh 50.

Raila observed that prices had largely fallen in the global market, which should be felt at the pump. He said this on Saturday, December 9, while in Kajiado East, where he had graced a prayer service.

The opposition leader said it would be inconsequential to have meagre reduction margins of less than KSh 50, considering the current rates internationally.

"We are aware that fuel prices have dropped internationally. We are expecting the reduction this month to be by at least KSh 45 for a litre, or even KSh 50, not KSh 5," Raila said.