Motorists will pay more to keep their vehicles on the road after marketers increased pump prices due to international escalation of cost of crude oil and refined petroleum products. A spot check in Nairobi’s central business district by the Nation on Tuesday revealed that the cost of petrol had crossed the Sh90 mark per litre and diesel Sh80 as marketers effected varying upward prices adjustments. Economic recovery Kenya Shell said the international crude oil and refined fuel prices rally is being driven by rising demand occasioned by recovery of American and European economies from global financial crisis. “Crude oil’s cost has surged to over $83 per barrel due to increasing demand in industrialised countries and prices could further go up soon,” said Shell’s communications manager Victoria Kaiga. The oil marketer’s outlet on Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi was retailing petrol at Sh94.9 per litre and diesel Sh79.9. Total’s service station on Koinange Street was selling petrol for Sh91.30 and diesel Sh79.90 Outside Nairobi Kobil’s outlet in the same location was selling petrol for Sh91.30 and diesel Sh80.80. Prices outside Nairobi’s CBD vary depending on the location and level of competition. Fuel prices in Kenya are adjusted up or down depending on changes in the international crude oil cost, shilling-dollar exchange rate, taxation, cost of finance, transport inland and profit margins among others.

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