The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Friday, 30, announced new fuel prices for July 2023 despite a High Court order issued by Justice Mugure Thande suspending the Finance Act, 2023.
EPRA's upward revision of prices was necessitated by the doubling of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel from eight per cent to sixteen per cent.
In Nairobi, the new prices will retail as follows; super petrol Ksh195.53 per litre, diesel Ksh179.67 and kerosene Ksh173.44 per litre.
"Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2023, the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene have been revised from 8 to 16 per cent effective July 1, 2023.
"Accordingly, the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has recalculated the maximum pump prices that will be in force from July 1 to July 14, 2023, taking into account VAT at 16 per cent," read part of the statement by EPRA.
As a result, EPRA Director-General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria explained that the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi, including Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene, increased by Ksh13.49 per litre, Ksh12.39 per litre and Ksh11.96 per litre respectively.
According to EPRA, the Petroleum Pricing Regulations aim to cap the retail prices of petroleum products already in the country, ensure importation and other prudently incurred costs are recovered, and reasonable prices pushed to consumers.
"EPRA wishes to assure the public of its continued commitment to the observance of fair competition and protection of the interests of both consumers and investors in the energy and petroleum sectors," the statement by EPRA read in part.
In Mombasa, super petrol will retail at Ksh192.48, diesel at Ksh176.63, and kerosene will be selling at Ksh170.40 per litre.
At the same time, major cities, including Nakuru and Kisumu, registered an increase in the price of petroleum products per litre. In Nakuru, a litre of super petrol will cost Ksh194.60, diesel at Ksh179.14 and kerosene - at Ksh172.93.
Meanwhile, in Kisumu, a litre of super petrol will retail at Ksh195.34, diesel - at Ksh179.89 and kerosene at Ksh173.68.
In other areas such as Laisamis, Merille and Korr in Marsabit County, the prices for super petrol hit over Ksh200 per litre.
