Ndindi Nyoro, the Member of Parliament for Kiharu, has warned that fuel prices in Kenya could rise in the next review, claiming there are plans to increase the cost despite the country having enough fuel stocks.
Speaking on Friday, the legislator said he had information suggesting that discussions were already taking place to push prices slightly higher when the next review is announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Nyoro claimed the planned increase could be blamed on the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly around Iran, but insisted the justification would not be valid.
According to him, the fuel currently available in Kenya was imported before the recent geopolitical tensions escalated, meaning it was purchased at lower prices.
“I know these people and I have worked with them. I have reliable information that meetings are already happening so that EPRA can adjust prices upwards and blame it on the situation in Iran,” Nyoro said.
He added that raising fuel prices under the current circumstances would be unfair to Kenyans since the existing stocks were bought earlier at lower landing costs.
“All the fuel in Kenya was imported before there was instability in Iran. The landing cost was lower, so there is no reason to increase prices and confuse Kenyans,” he said.
Nyoro’s remarks come at a time when there are growing concerns about global fuel supply following tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route used to transport a large share of the world’s oil.
Meanwhile, the Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has sought to calm the public, assuring Kenyans that the country currently has enough fuel reserves.
Wandayi said the government had held discussions with oil marketers who confirmed that fuel supply would continue without interruption despite the regional tensions.
He added that Kenya has enough fuel in its reserves to meet national and regional demand for at least two months.
The government is also continuing to import petroleum products through its agreements with suppliers in the Gulf region, including Saudi Aramco.
EPRA is expected to announce the latest fuel price review, which will determine the retail cost of petrol, diesel and kerosene for the coming weeks.
In the last review, the regulator reduced prices, with petrol dropping by Ksh4.24, diesel by Ksh3.93 and kerosene by Ksh1.00. The new prices were set at Ksh178.28 per litre for petrol, Ksh166.54 for diesel and Ksh152.78 for kerosene.
