AfriPulse
The government has moved to calm fears of rising electricity costs following the recent turbulence in fuel prices, assuring Kenyans that power tariffs will largely remain stable.
This comes amid public concern triggered by sharp fluctuations in petroleum prices, which saw an initial spike before a quick review lowered pump costs after government intervention.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira said the volatility in fuel pricing will not directly translate into higher electricity bills. He explained that Kenya’s electricity mix is largely insulated from fuel shocks, reducing the risk of immediate tariff increases despite pressure on diesel prices.
Lawmakers had raised concerns that the earlier surge in fuel prices would worsen the cost of living, hitting households already struggling with high transport and food costs.
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Energy, Alex Wachira, takes an oath before the Public Accounts Committee on April 15, 2026.
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Parliament
Committee Chairperson Nabii Nabwera questioned the government’s consistency, noting that earlier assurances on fuel price stability had been contradicted by the sudden hike.
“Kenyans are enraged. The Ministry of Energy assured the country that there would be no change in fuel prices and no crisis, only for the same prices to rise by a record margin. What is the issue?” Nabwera posed.
Aldai MP Marianne Kitany also questioned the effectiveness of the government-to-government oil deal, which was designed to shield consumers from global price shocks.
“The G2G deal was meant to protect Kenyans from such shocks. When prices rise, the system should absorb the shocks. So what has happened in this scenario?” she asked.
In response, Wachira told the committee that diesel accounts for only a small fraction of electricity generation, limiting the overall impact of fuel price fluctuations on power costs. He noted that Kenya relies heavily on hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar energy, with diesel generators mainly used in off-grid and emergencies.
The PS added that the government is ramping up alternative power sources and increasing electricity imports from Ethiopia and Uganda to cushion consumers, maintaining that any adjustments, if necessary, would be minimal.
Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), in their traditional monthly review on April 14, initially raised Super Petrol and Diesel prices by Ksh28.69 and Ksh40.30 per litre respectively, while Kerosene remained unchanged. The sharp increase saw fuel prices in Nairobi climb to Ksh206.97 per litre for Super Petrol and Ksh206.84 for Diesel, with Kerosene retailing at Ksh152.78.
The prices, which took effect at midnight, were set to remain in force for 30 days, sparking concern among consumers and transport operators over the rising cost of living and doing business.
However, the regulator later revised the prices following a tax adjustment, leading to a reduction of Ksh9.37 per litre for Super Petrol and Ksh10.21 per litre for Diesel, while Kerosene remained unchanged.
As a result, the new retail prices in Nairobi now stand at Ksh197.60 per litre for Super Petrol, Ksh196.63 for Diesel, and Ksh152.78 for Kerosene.
A photo of a petrol attendant fueling a car and an insert of Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi during a past briefing.
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Kenyans.co.ke
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
