Kenyans are set to dig deeper into their pockets after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a sharp increase in fuel prices for the period between April 15 and May 14, 2026.
In the latest review, the maximum retail price of Super Petrol has risen by KShs.28.69 per litre, while Diesel has increased by KShs.40.30 per litre. The price of Kerosene, however, remains unchanged. The new prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT).
EPRA attributed the increase to a significant surge in global petroleum costs. Data shows that the average landed cost of Super Petrol jumped by 41.53 percent between February and March 2026, while Diesel recorded an even steeper rise of 68.72 percent. Kerosene saw the highest increase at 105.15 percent over the same period.
Despite the price hike, the government has introduced measures aimed at cushioning consumers. The VAT on petroleum products has been reduced from 16 percent to 13 percent, in line with recent legal adjustments. Additionally, approximately KShs.6.2 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy has been deployed to stabilize pump prices.
EPRA noted that fuel prices are influenced by international market trends, where petroleum products are traded in US dollars. A slight weakening of the Kenyan shilling, which averaged KShs.130.08 against the dollar in March 2026, has further compounded the situation by raising import costs.
The regulator emphasized that the pricing framework is designed to balance cost recovery for oil marketers while protecting consumers from extreme volatility.
The latest adjustments are expected to have a ripple effect across the economy, driving up transport and production costs, and potentially increasing the cost of living for households and businesses nationwide.