Kenya regulator raises fuel prices

NAIROBI - Kenya's energy regulator said on Tuesday that it was raising the maximum retail fuel prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene for the month until mid-February, the second month in a row it has raised the price.

Fuel prices have a big effect on inflation in east Africa's biggest economy, where the economy depends heavily on diesel for transport, power generation and agriculture, while kerosene is used in many households for cooking and lighting.

The Energy Regulatory Commission raised maximum prices charged in Nairobi for super petrol by 1.31 shillings a litre to 110.59 ($1.28), diesel by 0.21 shillings to 104.73, and kerosene by 2.00 shillings to 85.07.

The prices are effective from Wednesday until Feb. 14.

Kenya's year-on-year inflation rate fell to 7.15 percent in December from 7.36 a month earlier.

The regulator reviews domestic fuel prices every month, with adjustments made depending on fluctuations in international energy prices and the shilling's exchange rate.

Reuters