Nairobi:Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced an increase in fuel prices due to high global oil costs caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and supply disruptions.
According to Kenya News Agency, EPRA Director General Eng. Edward Mwirigi Kinyua revealed that September 2026 saw the highest international prices for refined petroleum products in over a decade. Supply chain issues, including the closure of key transit corridors in the Middle East, forced international suppliers to source from regions such as South Korea, Singapore, and Europe. The situation worsened following an embargo on Saudi-linked shipping lines and attacks on Saudi Arabia’s east-west pipeline, along with diesel export bans by the US and Russia.
Significant price surges were noted between February and September 2026, with super petrol costs rising by 89.45 percent, diesel by 90.64 percent, and kerosene by 84.01 percent. These changes resulted in increased landed costs per litre for super petrol, diesel, and kerosene. Consequently, under the October-November pricing cycle, retail prices for these fuels have been raised by Sh12.93, Sh9.90, and Sh28.49 per litre, respectively.
Eng. Kinyua explained that the price hike for kerosene aims to reduce fuel adulteration by narrowing the price gap with diesel. To mitigate consumer impact, the government continues to implement measures such as the government-to-government petroleum procurement framework and tax reliefs. Interventions include capping freight and premium costs and reducing VAT on petroleum products.
Moreover, the Petroleum Development Levy Fund has been utilized to stabilize prices, with substantial amounts deployed in the 2025/2026 financial year. Long-term strategies to bolster national energy security involve investments like the Dangote East Africa Refinery, intended to protect against global price volatility.
