Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
Sharp Daily
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team
No Result
View All Result
Sharp Daily
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

EPRA’s fuel price hike will deepen Kenyans’ pain amid rising cost of living

Allan Lenkai by Allan Lenkai
March 14, 2025
in Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has hinted at a nearly Sh8 per liter increase in fuel prices, a move that threatens to push millions of already struggling Kenyans to the brink. While EPRA justifies the hike as necessary to keep oil dealers and transporters in business, the decision ignores the elephant in the room:

Kenyans are drowning under the weight of a high cost of living, and this increase will only make matters worse.
Kenyans are no strangers to pain at the pump. Fuel prices directly impact the cost of nearly every essential commodity, from food to electricity to public transportation. A Sh8 increase per liter will send shockwaves through the economy, further squeezing households that are already grappling with stagnant incomes, high inflation, and a relentless tax burden. EPRA’s move, though perhaps well-intentioned, fails to address the broader issue: Kenyans cannot afford to keep footing the bill for inefficiencies in the energy sector.

It is worth noting that Kenyans already pay nine different taxes and levies on fuel, including the controversial road maintenance levy, which was increased last year from Sh18 to Sh25 per liter. This levy was ostensibly introduced to fund road infrastructure, yet the government is now rolling out toll roads, effectively double-taxing citizens for the same purpose. Where is the accountability? Where is the relief for ordinary Kenyans who are being asked to pay more while seeing little improvement in public services?

EPRA’s proposal to increase margins for oil marketers may keep fuel flowing to every corner of the country, but at what cost? The authority must consider cutting fuel taxes to cushion consumers. Reducing these taxes would not only provide much-needed relief to households but also ensure that oil dealers and transporters remain profitable. This is a win-win solution that EPRA and the government seem unwilling to explore. Instead, they appear content to pass the burden onto citizens who are already stretched too thin.

RELATEDPOSTS

EPRA unveils coalition for safety amid rising energy-related accidents in Kenya

March 13, 2025

EPRA announces petroleum price hikes for January-February 2025

January 15, 2025

The government’s approach to managing the economy has been nothing short of tone-deaf. While ordinary citizens bear the brunt of rising costs, the misuse of public funds continues unabated. Take, for instance, the Sh889.6 billion raised through infrastructure bonds in the past two years. These bonds, which are tax-exempt and therefore costly to taxpayers, were meant to fund specific infrastructure projects. Yet, there are growing concerns that the proceeds are being diverted to recurrent expenditures, leaving critical projects underfunded. This lack of transparency and accountability only adds insult to injury for Kenyans who are being asked to pay more for less.

EPRA and the government must rethink their approach. Instead of burdening citizens with yet another price hike, they should explore alternative measures to stabilize the energy sector. Cutting fuel taxes, cracking down on corruption, and ensuring efficient use of public funds are just a few steps that could alleviate the pressure on Kenyans. The current trajectory is unsustainable and risks igniting widespread discontent.

Kenyans are resilient, but there is only so much they can bear. EPRA’s proposed fuel price hike is not just an economic issue; it is a moral one. The government must prioritize the well-being of its citizens over the profits of oil marketers. Anything less would be a betrayal of the public trust.

Previous Post

KCB reports 64.9% profit surge to KES 61.8B in 2024 despite tough market

Next Post

KICC to unveil KES 100 million dancing water fountains in Nairobi

Allan Lenkai

Allan Lenkai

Related Posts

Economy

What happened to president Ruto’s economic dream?

June 27, 2025
Opinion

Opinion: Populism feeds votes, not growth

June 27, 2025
Opinion

Unlocking the power of REITs: A path for retail investors

June 26, 2025
Opinion

How Kenyan banks can bridge the cybersecurity talent gap

June 25, 2025
Opinion

How companies can prevent administration through early intervention

June 25, 2025
Opinion

How dormant assets could be a hidden economic engine

June 25, 2025

LATEST STORIES

The importance of Investment Policy Statements (IPS) for pension schemes in Kenya

July 4, 2025

Understanding Life Cover as an Additional Benefit in Retirement Benefit Schemes

July 4, 2025

Del Monte foods files for bankruptcy in USA

July 3, 2025

Lessons from the Kuramo-TransCentury fallout

July 3, 2025

Private vs Public Pension Funds in Kenya

June 30, 2025

The mechanics of currency manipulation

June 27, 2025

Understanding how to access your pension savings in Kenya.

June 27, 2025

What happened to president Ruto’s economic dream?

June 27, 2025
  • About Us
  • Meet The Team
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Email us: editor@thesharpdaily.com

Sharp Daily © 2024

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Politics
  • Business
    • Banking
  • Investments
  • Technology
  • Startups
  • Real Estate
  • Features
  • Appointments
  • About Us
    • Meet The Team

Sharp Daily © 2024