Kenya has no choice but to follow suit what has been more than an irritation for most motorists in Africa. The energy regulator raised retail prices for petrol and diesel yesterday due to rising global oil prices and a weaker local currency, while decreasing the price of kerosene. Fuel prices have a big impact on the rate of inflation in the east African economy. The rate rose to 4.91% in June from 4.05% a month earlier. The economy heavily depends on diesel for transport, power generation and agriculture. Kerosene is used in many households for lighting and cooking. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) reviews domestic energy prices every month, with adjustments made depending on fluctuations in international energy prices and foreign exchange fluctuations. The cost of importing super petrol and diesel in June rose, while that of kerosene fell, while at the same time the Kenyan shilling weakened to 85.65 per dollar from 84.30 per dollar in the previous month the ERC said in a statement. The regulator raised the maximum price of a litre of super petrol in Nairobi by 1.34 shillings to 109.52 shillings, and increased the price of diesel by 3.70 shillings to 102.86 shillings per litre. The price of kerosene will fall by 2.03 shillings to 79.49 shillings, the commission said. The new prices will take effect on July 15, and will be in force for a month.
