Fuel Prices Remain Stable Despite Falling Petrol Import Costs
Motorists across Kenya will continue paying the same pump prices for the third consecutive month after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) retained maximum retail prices for the period September 15 to October 14, 2026.
The latest review will come as a slight relief for motorists, who have endured fluctuating pump prices in recent months. For motorists dependent on super petrol, this will be the third month in a row whereby the prices remain unchanged after marginally falling by KSh0.22 per litre back in June 2026.
Current Pump Prices in Nairobi
In Nairobi, super petrol will continue to retail at KSh214.03 per litre, diesel at KSh217.86 per litre, and kerosene at KSh191.38 per litre.
Regional Fuel Prices Across Kenya
The prices vary across different towns due to transportation costs from the importation point:
| Town | Super Petrol | Diesel | Kerosene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | KSh210.87 | KSh214.58 | KSh188.09 |
| Nairobi | KSh214.03 | KSh217.86 | KSh191.38 |
| Nakuru | KSh212.92 | KSh217.27 | KSh190.81 |
| Kisumu | KSh213.69 | KSh218.08 | KSh191.63 |
| Eldoret | KSh213.69 | KSh218.09 | KSh191.63 |
| Garissa | KSh220.40 | KSh224.70 | KSh198.21 |
| Mandera | KSh234.68 | KSh240.04 | KSh213.56 |
Why Prices Remain Unchanged
The decision to hold prices comes despite a significant decline in the average landed cost of imported super petrol, which fell by 7.87 per cent from US$948.92 (Sh122,904) to US$874.26 (Sh113,234) per cubic metre between July and August 2026.
However, diesel and kerosene recorded increases in their landed costs during the same period:
- Diesel rose by 11.86 per cent from US$987.56 to US$1,103.89 per cubic metre
- Kerosene increased by 9.71 per cent from US$915.01 to US$1,003.87 per cubic metre
EPRA noted that a reduction in the international or landed cost of petrol does not automatically translate into an equivalent reduction in the maximum retail price, as the final pump price includes multiple components such as transport costs, oil marketing company margins, taxes and levies.
Government Intervention
The government has extended the 8 per cent VAT on petroleum products for a further three months until October 14, 2026, and utilised funds from the Petroleum Development Levy to ensure pump price stability.
EPRA said the prices remain inclusive of Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the VAT Act 2013, the Finance Act 2023, and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, alongside revised excise duty rates adjusted for inflation.
Previous Price Trends
The current pricing cycle marks the continuation of stability that began in June 2026. In the June-July review, EPRA reduced super petrol by KSh0.22 per litre and diesel by KSh10.00 per litre, while kerosene remained unchanged.
In July, prices were retained with the government extending the 8 per cent VAT arrangement and utilizing KSh945 million from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund. In August, diesel was reduced by KSh5 per litre while petrol and kerosene remained unchanged, supported by additional government stabilization measures of KSh938 million.
What This Means for Consumers
The unchanged prices provide some stability for motorists and businesses, particularly at a time when the underlying costs of different petroleum products are moving in opposite directions. For consumers, however, the fall in petrol’s landed cost raises questions over how changes in the cost of imported fuel feed through the wider pricing formula and ultimately affect the price displayed at filling stations.
The new prices take effect at midnight on September 15, 2026, and will remain in force until October 14, 2026.