By: The east leigh voice

Recent comparative data shows that Kenya has some of the highest fuel prices in Africa, ranking within the continent's top ten most expensive markets for both petrol and diesel. This places a persistent cost burden on Kenyan households and businesses relative to other economies.

For petrol, Kenya's price of approximately $1.421 per litre (KSh 183.22) positions it near the top of the continental scale. This is significantly more expensive than its neighbors in the East African Community (EAC) and ahead of many larger economies that benefit from subsidies or lower taxation.

A similar trend is evident with diesel, priced at about $1.320 per litre (KSh 170.20), which is also among the highest in Africa and exceeds all regional counterparts. Within the EAC, Kenya is the most expensive market. For comparison, Tanzania has the bloc's cheapest prices at $1.145 for petrol and $1.125 for diesel.

This price gap highlights structural differences in factors like taxation, supply logistics, and national pricing frameworks across the region. The contrast is even starker across the continent, with North African nations like Libya, Algeria, and Egypt having the lowest fuel prices due to domestic oil production and state subsidies.