NAIROBI, Kenya- Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has predicted the Government could introduce a fuel subsidy of about Sh10 per litre as early as Thursday, following the latest increase in pump prices.
Nyoro said the timing and amount of any reduction would depend on public pressure, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of first allowing prices to rise before presenting a subsidy as relief for motorists.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced on Wednesday that petrol prices would rise by Sh12.93 per litre, diesel by Sh9.90 and kerosene by Sh28.49 from October 15.
In Nairobi, the maximum prices will be Sh226.96 for petrol, Sh227.76 for diesel and Sh219.87 for kerosene.
“The President is obsessed in wanting to “look good” and that’s why he prefers roadside declarations on any minute detail he imagines carries political goodwill. The treachery is just petty,” the MP said.
“We cannot have a country where the President is benefiting from fuel crisis through fleecing Kenyans. The same cabal have also taken over Turkana oil. They are also the same people who are the Dangote East African Petroleum Refinery minority shareholder. This greed must stop.”
Nyoro also accused the President of using roadside announcements to seek political goodwill and divert attention from questions about the Government-to-Government fuel import arrangement, the management of Turkana oil and the margins earned by importers and distributors.
The MP questioned why pump prices had risen despite what he described as a fall in diesel’s landed cost from about Sh167 per litre in May to about Sh138 currently.
He also claimed importers’ and distributors’ margins had increased by 12 per cent since May, and compared international oil prices in April with prices last month.
EPRA’s latest data shows a more recent increase in import costs: the average landed cost of diesel rose 11.32 per cent, from US$957.05 per cubic metre in August to US$1,065.38 in September.
The new prices take effect after a month in which pump prices had remained unchanged.
The regulator’s pricing formula includes landed costs as well as wholesale and retail margins, transport costs, taxes and other approved charges.
A change in one component does not by itself determine the final pump price.
Nyoro’s criticism comes amid an ongoing dispute over the G-to-G fuel import framework.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended the arrangement, saying it has kept freight and premium charges relatively stable and helped ensure consistent fuel supply.
Nyoro said the latest price increase risked burdening households and businesses, while urging Kenyans to question how fuel costs are calculated and who benefits from the import system.
