Kenya:Reprieve for Diesel, Kerosene users in new ERC review

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_51304" align="alignleft" width="860"] Energy Regulatory Commission acting director-general Pavel Oimeke addresses reporters during the announcement of new fuel prices for 15 June - 14 July period on June 14 in Nairobi /FAITH MUTEGI(culled from The Star)[/caption] Motorists will have to dig deep in their pockets from September 1, 2018 after Energy Regulatory Commission increased the price of super Petrol by Ksh.1.53. At the same time, the prices of kerosene and Diesel have decreased slightly. In an announcement made on Tuesday , August 14, 2018, by ERC director General Pavel Oimeke, a litre of petrol will cost Ksh.113.73, the price of diesel will reduce by Ksh.0.51 to Ksh.102.74 while that of kerosene will go down by Ksh.0.78 to Ksh.84.95. According to Mr. Oimeke the hike in price of petrol is due to increase in the price of imported petroleum products. He further added that the International Monetary Fund advised the government in 2015 to hike taxes on some products in a bid to increase domestic revenue collection so as to lessen the rate at which it takes loans. “The average landed cost of import super petrol increased by 3.08% from $737.77 per tonne in June 2018 to  $761.55 per tonne in July 2018, diesel increased by 0.18% to $683.25 per tonne and kerosene decreased by 1.32% to $7 21.62 per tonne,”read ERC statement. Meanwhile, owners of public vehicles have warned commuters to be ready to pay more from next month. Matatu Owners Association, (body advocating for the rights of public vehicles) chairman Simon Kimutai said they will increase fares charges on passengers immediately the government implements the 16 per cent tax levy on petroleum products. “The cost is always incurred by anyone who is seeking a service and so the fare increment will be countrywide. The moment the pump price goes up, we will adjust our fares as the levy on fuel translates to an added cost to public vehicle operators,”   said Kimutai.