The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced a sharp increase in fuel prices for the period between May 15 and June 14, 2026, driven largely by rising global oil prices and higher import costs.
Under the latest review, the price of Super Petrol has increased by Ksh 16.65 per litre, while Diesel has recorded a steeper rise of Ksh 46.29 per litre. Kerosene prices, however, remain unchanged during the pricing cycle.
The revised prices now place Nairobi motorists among the highest-paying consumers in the region. In the capital, Super Petrol will retail at Ksh 214.25 per litre, Diesel at Ksh 242.92, and Kerosene at Ksh 152.78.
In Mombasa, consumers will pay Ksh 211.09 for Petrol, Ksh 239.64 for Diesel, and Ksh 149.49 for Kerosene. Kisumu and Eldoret recorded nearly identical prices, with Petrol retailing at Ksh 213.91 and Ksh 213.92 respectively, while Diesel crossed the Ksh 243 mark in both towns.
Nakuru motorists will pay Ksh 213.15 for Petrol and Ksh 242.33 for Diesel, while Kerosene will retail at Ksh 152.21 per litre.
Government Moves to Cushion Consumers
Despite the increases, the government has stepped in to cushion consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund.
EPRA said approximately Ksh 5 billion will be used to subsidies Diesel and Kerosene prices in a move aimed at easing pressure on households and businesses already grappling with high transport and energy costs.
The prices include Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the VAT Act 2013, the Finance Act 2023, and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024. EPRA noted that the pricing formula also factors in revised excise duty rates adjusted for inflation.
Global Oil Prices Push Import Costs Higher
According to EPRA, the latest increases were triggered by a significant rise in the landed cost of imported petroleum products.
The average landed cost of Super Petrol rose by 10% from 823.27 US dollars per cubic metre in March to 906.23 US dollars in April. Diesel recorded the sharpest jump, increasing by 20.32% from1,073.82 US dollars to 1,291.98 US dollars per cubic metre.
Kerosene import costs also rose marginally by 1.59% to 1,332.73 US dollars per cubic metre.
Kenya imports all its refined petroleum products, making local fuel prices highly sensitive to fluctuations in international oil markets and the exchange rate between the Kenya Shilling and the US Dollar.
EPRA said the petroleum pricing regulations are designed to cap retail fuel prices while ensuring oil marketers recover prudently incurred importation and distribution costs.
The regulator added that it remains committed to protecting both consumers and investors while maintaining fair competition in the energy sector.
