NAIROBI, Kenya – The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has demanded the immediate disbandment of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), accusing it of manipulating fuel prices to serve political interests at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.
In a statement on Monday, the lobby described EPRA’s monthly fuel price reviews as a “circus” that keeps Kenyans anxious while conditioning them to accept unpredictable hikes.
“This monthly circus only keeps Kenyans on edge and conditions the public to accept exploitative, unpredictable hikes,” MAK said, pointing to the latest review in which pump prices fell marginally — Super Petrol by Sh0.79, Diesel by Sh0.11 and Kerosene by Sh0.80 per litre.
Call for return to transparency
The association argued that fuel pricing was more transparent under the defunct Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), which applied a formula that was open to public scrutiny.
“Before ERC, fuel prices reflected actual market conditions. They were accountable, explained and accessible to all,” MAK said.
It blamed the 2013 transition from ERC to EPRA for ushering in politically influenced pricing, with directors setting costs “without public accountability.”
“Thirteen years of punitive, politically motivated fuel pricing has no basis in economic reality. Fuel prices are now a tool for easy revenue extraction, a tax collector’s paradise, rather than a fair reflection of global oil markets,” the statement read.
G-to-G procurement under fire
The motorists’ lobby also faulted the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel import scheme, saying it benefits a handful of suppliers while burdening Kenyans with inflated prices.
“Fuel is not a luxury; it powers our economy, transport and livelihoods. EPRA has failed to protect the public,” MAK said, adding that procurement should revert to the open tender system to ensure competition and transparency.
The association warned that the regional adoption of EPRA’s pricing model — with Tanzania recently benchmarking against it — could make cross-border transport prohibitively expensive and undermine East African Community integration.
Push for free-market pricing
MAK urged a return to ERC’s transparent formula or a fully liberalised fuel market where prices follow global trends.
“The government has no business setting fuel prices. Let market forces work, and if the government wants revenue, it must do so transparently,” the group said, linking high pump prices to rising bus fares, slowed economic growth, and an elevated cost of living.
“The Kenyan public has endured enough price injustice. It is time to end this 13-year daylight robbery and restore fairness, transparency, and accountability in fuel pricing,” MAK added.
Latest EPRA review
The association’s statement followed EPRA’s September 14 fuel price review, which set Nairobi pump prices at Sh184.52 for Super Petrol, Sh171.47 for Diesel, and Sh154.78 for Kerosene for the next 30 days.
Prices in Mombasa were fixed at Sh181.21, Sh168.19, and Sh151.49 respectively, while in Nakuru they stood at Sh183.56, Sh170.87, and Sh154.21.
The regulator said the adjustments reflected international oil freight costs and taxes, including VAT and excise duty.
