FUEL HIKES IN KENYA

If you’ve fueled your car or taken a matatu lately, you’ve felt it ;fuel prices in Kenya keep climbing. One month it’s fine, the next month EPRA announces new rates and suddenly everything feels more expensive.

Why so?
Kenya imports most of its fuel, so we don’t control the price. Two things drive it: global oil prices and the shilling-dollar exchange rate. When oil gets expensive worldwide or the shilling weakens, we pay more at the pump. Taxes and levies added by the government also push prices up.

Effects on the common kenyan
Fuel runs more than cars. Matatus, trucks, boda bodas, and generators all depend on it. When fuel goes up, transport costs rise, and food and goods become more expensive to move and sell. That means higher fares, pricier vegetables, and tighter budgets for families and small businesses.

Any solutions?
We can’t control global prices, but we can use fuel smarter. Carpooling, using public transport, and planning trips cut costs. For short distances, walking or cycling works too. Long term, investing in electric transport, solar, and better public systems will make us less dependent on imported fuel.

Edgar Ombati