EXPLAINER: How Different Food Items’ Prices Will Be Affected By Fuel Hike
Nairobians and Kenyans at large have been warned to brace for a possible rise in food prices in the coming days as soaring transport costs continue to disrupt the supply chain across the country.
Traders from Wakulima Market, one of the most renowned spots for wholesale food items in the city, sounded the warning on Saturday.
They cited that the recent increase in fuel prices, which they claim considerably spiked the cost of transporting food products to the capital.
In the latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), petrol prices have been increased by Ksh16.65 per litre and diesel prices by Ksh46.29 per litre. Kerosene prices remained unchanged.
Looming food price hike
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) May 16, 2026
Traders warn of surge in food prices due to high fuel costs
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According to traders dealing in tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and cabbage, transporters are now spending nearly Ksh10,000 more per trip compared to previous months, a burden they say will eventually be passed on to consumers.
Traders noted that produce which previously sold within a day or two is now taking up to a week before finding buyers, in what is presumed to be a lack of purchasing power from some of their customers.
Meanwhile, transporters blamed the worsening situation on the recent fuel price hike, particularly the sharp increase in diesel prices, which has significantly raised operating costs for transport vehicles.
Diesel, which is the primary fuel used by trucks transporting food produce across the country, makes the increase especially costly for traders and distributors.
“For now, my vehicle takes up 100 litres. That costs over Ksh20,000. To come to Njoro it costs even more, so we will have to hike the prices to make the business sustainable,” one driver explained.
Besides fuel expenses, traders cited additional charges like parking fees and county levies that further cut down their profits, pushing many small businesses on the brink.
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Effectively, potatoes are also on the verge of seeing their prices hiked as a result of all the dynamics brought by the latest fuel price hike.
A spot check established that the price of a bucket of potatoes has already increased from Ksh700 to Ksh800 due to rising logistics costs, even as customers remain reluctant to buy at the new prices.
Tomato and onion traders also warned that consumers could soon face an additional Ksh20 increase per kilogram if fuel prices and transport costs continue to rise in the coming weeks.
The concerns emerge as transport operations across the country are expected to face further disruption on Monday, May 18.
This follows the announcement of a nationwide strike by stakeholders protesting the latest fuel price hike.
EXPLAINER: How Different Food Items’ Prices Will Be Affected By Fuel Hike
