Motorists and households across Kenya are bracing for higher costs after Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a steep increase in fuel prices for the April–May 2026 pricing cycle.
In its latest review released on April 14, the regulator confirmed that the prices of Super Petrol and Diesel have risen significantly, while Kerosene will remain unchanged for the next 30 days.
“The maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel have increased by KSh 28.69 and KSh 40.30 per litre respectively, while the price of Kerosene remains unchanged,” EPRA said in a statement.
New prices take effect in Nairobi
The revised prices, which took effect at midnight on April 15, have pushed fuel costs to new highs in the capital.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol is now retailing at KSh 206.97 per litre, while Diesel is priced at KSh 206.84. Kerosene remains at KSh 152.78 per litre.
The new rates will remain in force until May 14, in line with EPRA’s monthly pricing cycle governed by the Petroleum Act.
Global fuel costs drive increase
The latest adjustments have been largely attributed to a sharp rise in global oil prices, which has significantly increased the cost of importing refined petroleum products into the country.
EPRA noted that the landed cost of Super Petrol rose by more than 40 percent between February and March 2026. Diesel recorded an even steeper jump of nearly 70 percent, while Kerosene saw the highest spike, with costs more than doubling over the same period.
These global price pressures have inevitably filtered down to the local market, pushing pump prices upward despite mitigation measures.
Government steps in to cushion consumers
In response to the rising costs, the government has introduced tax relief measures aimed at easing the burden on consumers.
A key intervention includes the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 16 percent to 13 percent, as provided under a recent legal notice. Additionally, about KSh 6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy has been deployed to stabilize pump prices.
According to EPRA, these measures have helped soften what would otherwise have been an even steeper increase in fuel costs.
Concerns over economic impact
The latest fuel price hike is expected to ripple across the economy, with fears of increased transport costs and higher prices for essential goods and services.
Public service vehicle operators are likely to review fares, while businesses dependent on fuel for operations may pass on the added costs to consumers.
With fuel being a key driver of inflation, the new prices are likely to intensify pressure on households already grappling with the high cost of living.
Regulatory clarification
EPRA also clarified that fuel supplied by One Petroleum from the vessel MT Paloma was excluded from the pricing computation, in line with an earlier government directive.
