Kenya’s fuel prices have experienced notable fluctuations since January 2026, with motorists, businesses, and households feeling the effects almost immediately through transport costs and commodity prices.
While the year began with relatively stable or slightly declining pump prices, the situation changed sharply in April and May, when prices surged to some of the highest levels seen in recent years.
In the latest fuel prices announced on Monday, May 18, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reduced diesel prices while significantly increasing kerosene prices.
Under the latest review, diesel prices have been reduced by Sh10.06 per litre, kerosene prices have been increased by Sh38.60 per litre, while super petrol prices remain unchanged for the next 25 days, from May 19 to June 14, 2026.
“In Nairobi, super petrol, diesel, and kerosene now retail at Sh214.25, Sh232.86 and Sh191.38 respectively, effective midnight for the next 30 days,” the authority said.
Earlier this month, EPRA had raised diesel prices by Sh46.29 per litre to Sh242.92 and petrol by Sh16.65 per litre to Sh214.25 due to the ongoing Middle East war.
The hike triggered nationwide protests with public transport operaters warning that a large disparity between diesel and kerosene prices could encourage the illegal blending of fuel.
The high fuel prices have been attributed to various geopolitical issues including the rising global oil prices, higher landed costs of fuel imports, shilling weakness against the dollar, and tax and levies.
Kenya imports nearly all its petroleum products, meaning international oil market movements have a direct impact on pump prices.
Early 2026 saw relative calm in global markets, which helped stabilize prices locally. However, as global crude oil prices rose due to geopolitical tensions and supply uncertainties, import costs also increased sharply.
EPRA says the landing cost of super petrol rose by 10 percent from Sh106,325 (USD 823.27) to Sh117,039 (USD 906.23) per cubic metre.
At the same time, landing costs for diesel surged by 20.32 percent from about Sh138,683 (USD 1,073.82) to about Sh166,859 (USD 1,291.98) per cubic metre, while kerosene also increased by 1.59 percent.
Besides, landing costs, fuel prices in Kenya include several taxes and charges, including excise duty, VAT, road maintenance levy and petroleum development levy.
This means that even when global prices ease, these fixed levies keep pump prices elevated. As a result, consumers continue to pay high prices even during periods of reduced global oil costs.
Below is a comparison of how fuel prices have changed since January 2026:
| Period Covered | Super Petrol (Sh/litre) | Diesel (Sh/litre) | Kerosene (Sh/litre) |
| Dec 15, 2025 – Jan 14, 2026 | 184.52 | 171.47 | 154.78 |
| Jan 15 – Feb 14, 2026 | 182.52 | 170.47 | 153.78 |
| Feb 15 – Mar 14, 2026 | 178.28 | 166.54 | 152.78 |
| Mar 15 – Apr 14, 2026 | 178.28 | 166.54 | 152.78 |
| Apr 15 – May 14, 2026 | 206.97 | 206.84 | 152.78 |
| May 15 – Jun 14, 2026 | 214.25 | 232.86 | 191.38 |
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