By Bonface Mulyungi
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has revised maximum retail pump prices for petroleum products, following a recalculation that will take effect from May 19, 2026, to June 14, 2026.
EPRA said the adjustment was made after a petition by public transport sector operators. The operators had raised concerns over pricing disparities that could encourage fuel adulteration.
“The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has recalculated the maximum retail pump prices that will be in force from 19th May 2026 to 14th June 2026 following a petition by public transport sector operators on the need to minimize the risk of motor fuel adulteration that may arise due to the big price differential between Diesel and Kerosene.”
Under the new review, diesel prices in Nairobi will decrease by Sh10.06 per litre. At the same time, kerosene prices will increase significantly by Sh38.60 per litre. Super petrol prices remain unchanged in the latest adjustment.
The announcement comes at a time when parts of the country have experienced protests over fuel prices, with motorists and public transport operators expressing concern over the cost of living and transport expenses.
Motorists in Nairobi will now pay Sh232.86 per litre for diesel, down from the previous rate, while kerosene rises sharply to Sh191.38 per litre. Super petrol remains at Sh214.25 per litre. In Mombasa petrol will retail at Sh211.09, diesel at Sh229.58 and kerosene at Sh188.09.
The breakdown of the pricing shows that landed costs remain the largest component of retail fuel prices, followed by taxes and levies imposed by the government. The authority also maintains that stabilisation mechanisms, which previously cushioned diesel and kerosene, have been adjusted in the latest cycle.
The revised prices apply uniformly across the country, with variations by town reflecting transport and distribution costs. Major towns including Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Garissa will also experience corresponding adjustments in diesel and kerosene prices, while petrol remains unchanged nationwide.
According to EPRA, the adjustments are also influenced by policy considerations tied to fuel quality control and infrastructure protection, particularly in the transport sector, which has repeatedly raised concerns over adulteration.
The regulator further confirms that the updated pricing structure reflects changes in taxes and levies, including excise duty, VAT, road maintenance levy, petroleum development levy, and other statutory charges that continue to form a significant portion of retail fuel prices.
In Nairobi, for example, taxes and levies account for a substantial share of the final pump price across all fuel types, with diesel attracting Sh67.08 per litre in taxes and kerosene Sh52.28 per litre.
The new pricing framework underscores the delicate balance between market forces, government revenue needs, and industry concerns over fuel integrity. EPRA says the monthly review process will continue as mandated by law, with future adjustments expected depending on global and domestic market conditions.
