Kenyans could be subjected to yet another blow of increased pump prices come the new month. According to a report by the Nation, The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) director-general Kaburu Mwirichia said that free on board prices for Murban crude increased last month, which would translate to higher prices for consumers.
About 40 per cent of fuel consumed in Kenya consists of Murban crude that is imported from the United Arab Emirates. The rest is imported as refined products through the competitive open tender system. The free on board price of Murban crude has been on the rise since January, when it stood at $114.20 per barrel.
The ERC cut pump prices for super petrol in Nairobi by Sh7.11 to 111.95 per litre. Prices of diesel and kerosene were cut by Shs 3.08 and Shs3.63 per litre to Shs 107.90 and Shs 87.11 respectively.
The prices of fuel went up in March by a marginal increase of Sh0.37 and Sh0.39 for super petrol and kerosene respectively. The cost of diesel dropped slightly to Sh105.12 in the capital, a marginal drop of Sh0.17. The March prices were relative to the slight drop that had been experienced in February.
It has not been established by what margin the prices will go up but Mwirichia confirmed there is going to be a price increase. Kenyans therefore will be expected to dig deeper by mid April even at times when food prices remain high.