The move by the government to upgrade Kenya Petroleum Refinery Limited (KPRL) to merchant status frees KPRL from being tied down to one crude type. KPRL will now be free to look for more economic crudes to process thus fast benefiting the country’s economy.

Speaking to the media, KPRL General Manager John Mruttu said that KPRL will in every month look at the crude types available, access them to determine which type is most economical to process and there after buy an that month.

Kenya has in the recent past imported Murban crude oil which has been cited as more expensive as compared to other blends in the market, cost that was passed to the consumer. KPRL ability to access and choose economic crude types will help benefit the country's economy and might result in lower pump prices.