Petrol and kerosene prices up by Sh6

Fuel prices shot up for the second time in a row, setting the stage for tougher times for Kenyans.

The prices continued their upward trend which started last month, warming up the stage for a rise in cost of food and transport.

Kerosene, which is used by most people in rural areas and low-class urban dwellers for lighting and cooking, has gone up by Sh6.36 in Nairobi.

This marks the highest change in the sale of the oil products yet. It will now be sold at Sh86.01 from Sh79.65 a litre.

The cost of super petrol also rose and will be retailing in Nairobi at Sh115.26 a litre, up from Sh108.95.

The difference of Sh6.31 though represents a change of five per cent, but is the biggest cost rise since last June.

Diesel will be sold at Sh106.11 from Sh101.07 but the price of regular petrol is unchanged at Sh105.76.

The Energy Regulatory Commission released the new prices on Sunday warning of a possibility of further increases if the inconsistency in the international oil market remained.

“We have observed an inconsistent trend in the price of refined petroleum products in the international market over the last one month.

"This makes it difficult to predict the effect on pump prices in subsequent price reviews,” the commission said in the statement.

ERC director general Kaburu Mwirichia warned oil dealers that they risked being fined Sh1 million or withdrawal of operating licences if they failed to comply with the price structure.

In Mombasa, super petrol will retail at Sh112.00 from Sh105.70, while diesel sold at Sh97.84 until on Sunday will now be Sh102.87 per litre.

Regular petrol remains at Sh102.92 as kerosene jumps from Sh76.87 to Sh83.22.