Hours after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced that fuel prices would remain unchanged for the July–August pricing cycle, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) accused the regulator of denying consumers the benefits of falling global crude oil prices and demanded sweeping reforms to the country's fuel pricing system.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the motorists' lobby described EPRA's decision as "an economic betrayal of Kenyans", arguing that it was the second consecutive monthly review in which motorists had been denied the full benefit of favourable international oil prices.
MAK said EPRA's earlier explanation that there was a pricing lag of more than 45 days could no longer justify keeping pump prices unchanged.
"The global market has remained favourable for an extended period, yet Kenyans continue paying artificially high fuel prices while government agencies shift the goalposts instead of passing savings to consumers," the association said.
The lobby also accused the Ministry of Energy of failing in its duty to protect consumers, claiming the current pricing regime increasingly favours government revenue over the welfare of ordinary Kenyans.
"The Energy Ministry appears to have abandoned its constitutional duty to protect consumers. Instead of ensuring fairness and transparency, the Ministry has chosen to defend a pricing regime that increasingly serves government revenue at the expense of ordinary citizens," the statement added.
MAK further criticised Parliament for amendments to energy laws made since 2019, arguing they concentrated excessive fuel pricing powers in the Executive and EPRA without sufficient safeguards to ensure international price reductions are reflected at the pump.
The association said fuel price controls had become "increasingly political, opaque and detached from the realities of the international market," insisting that government should regulate quality and competition rather than administratively fixing retail prices.
It called for a review of the Energy Act and subsequent amendments, removal of political influence from fuel pricing, and restoration of "a transparent, independent and market-responsive system."
According to MAK, persistently high fuel prices continue to drive up public transport fares, food prices, production costs and the overall cost of living.
"High fuel prices are not merely an inconvenience. They translate directly into higher public transport fares, increased food prices, rising production costs, reduced business competitiveness and a heavier burden on every Kenyan household," the association said.
The lobby vowed to continue pushing for greater transparency and accountability, insisting that "fuel pricing must serve the people – not politics."
The criticism comes after EPRA retained pump prices for the period between July 15 and August 14, leaving Super Petrol at Sh214.03, Diesel at Sh222.86 and Kerosene at Sh191.38 per litre in Nairobi.
The regulator said the decision was supported by continued government intervention, while the National Treasury separately extended the reduced 8% VAT on petroleum products for another three months to cushion consumers from global oil price volatility.