‘Illegal US sanctions to blame for rising prices in Africa,’ Russian Embassy says

The embassy stated on Twitter on Tuesday that the rising cost of living in Kenya and Africa is due to 'illegal unilateral sanctions' imposed on Russia by the US, EU, and their followers.

"To our Kenyan friends and partners, the real cause of the rise in African prices is not Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, but the illegal unilateral "sanctions" imposed on Russia by the US, EU, and their allies," the embassy tweeted.

The latest follows Kanze Dena's claim that the rising cost of living and the increased cost of fuel is a global phenomenon, not just a Kenyan issue.

According to Dena, who spoke to Radio Kaya on Tuesday, the cost issues have been exacerbated by a variety of external factors, including the raging Russia-Ukraine war.

"The rising cost of living is not unique to Kenya; it is a global phenomenon fueled by a variety of external factors, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which has resulted in an increase in the global price of petroleum, which is a key factor in production," Kanze said.

Kenyans rallied in late February under the hashtag #lowerfoodprices to protest the skyrocketing prices of basic food items.

The most recent example is an increase in fuel prices, which have reached an all-time high with no end in sight.

Kenya raised pump prices of fuel to a 10-year high in its latest monthly fuel price review, despite the government tapping a stabilization fund, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The price of a liter of gasoline in Nairobi rose by 4% to 134.72 shillings per liter on Tuesday, while diesel prices rose by 4.5% to 115.60 shillings per liter, according to statement from the agency.

The price of kerosene, which is used in lighting and cooking, has not changed.