Kenya has cheapest fuel prices in the region - CS Juma

This, she said, is thanks to the fuel subsidy scheme since April last year when the government started paying oil marketers to keep diesel, petrol, and kerosene prices unchanged at the back of a global spike in crude oil.

“This fuel stabilisation framework has enabled the pump price in Kenya to remain the lowest in the region. I wish to disabuse the notion that in this country we are having higher prices, that is not the case…” CS Juma.

The fuel subsidy is the main character in the crisis that plagued Kenya in the last two weeks resulting in fuel shortages not witnessed in the country for years.

Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the first 2021-2022 supplementary budget estimates into law clearing the path for the release of Ksh.34 billion owed to oil marketing companies (OMCs) over the subsidy.

On the issue of subsidy, CS Juma said the government has so far paid up Ksh.34.6 billion, the full outstanding balance of the money payable to the OMCs. 

Here is how Kenya's fuel prices compare to others in the region according to the Cabinet Secretary.

Kenya

Super Petrol - Ksh.134.72 per liter

Diesel - Ksh.115.60 per liter

Tanzania

Super Petrol - Ksh.144.72

Diesel - Ksh. 136.34

Uganda

Super Petrol - Ksh.163.20

Diesel - Ksh.140.80 

Rwanda

Super Petrol - Ksh.154.81

Diesel - Ksh.155.84

South Africa

Super Petrol - Ksh.172.26

Diesel - Ksh.167.27

Zambia

Super Petrol - Ksh.175.42

Diesel - Ksh.174.27