How fuel prices will retail in major towns

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced sharp increases in the prices of Super Petrol and diesel for the May–June pricing cycle, pushing pump prices above Sh240 per litre for diesel in several towns across the country.

In a statement on Thursday, EPRA said the price of Super Petrol had increased by Sh16.65 per litre, while diesel rose by Sh46.29 per litre. The price of kerosene remains unchanged.

“In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel increase by KSh16.65 per litre and KSh46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of kerosene remains unchanged,” EPRA said.

The new prices will take effect from May 15, 2026, to June 14, 2026.

In Nairobi, motorists will now pay Sh214.25 per litre of Super Petrol, Sh242.92 for diesel and Sh152.78 for kerosene.

The latest review marks a significant jump from the previous April–May cycle when petrol retailed at Sh197.60 and diesel at Sh196.63 in Nairobi following a reduction in Value Added Tax from 13 per cent to 8 per cent.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol will retail at Sh211.09 per litre, diesel at Sh239.64 and kerosene at Sh149.49.

Motorists in Kisumu are expected to pay higher prices compared to the previous cycle, although the town was not listed in the released summary table.

In Nakuru, nearby towns such as Mai Mahiu will retail petrol at Sh214.10 and diesel at Sh242.76, while Nyeri residents will pay Sh216.12 for petrol and Sh244.93 for diesel.

In Embu, Super Petrol will retail at Sh215.69 per litre, diesel at Sh244.46 and kerosene at Sh154.31.

In Eldoret and the surrounding regions, prices are also expected to rise sharply in line with the new review.

Northern Kenya continues to record the highest fuel prices in the country due to transport and logistics costs.

In Mandera, motorists will now pay Sh234.90 per litre of petrol, Sh265.10 for diesel and Sh174.96 for kerosene, making it the most expensive town in the latest review.

In Moyale, Super Petrol will retail at Sh229.10 per litre while diesel will cost Sh258.86.

EPRA said the government would cushion consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund by utilising about Sh5 billion to subsidise diesel and kerosene prices.

“The Government will in this cycle cushion consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund by utilising approximately KSh5 billion to subsidise the prices of diesel and kerosene,” EPRA said.

The regulator attributed the increase to rising international fuel prices.

According to EPRA, the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose by 10 per cent from US$823.27 per cubic metre in March to US$906.23 in April.

Diesel recorded the sharpest increase, with the landed cost rising by 20.32 per cent from US$1,073.82 to US$1,291.98 per cubic metre.

Kerosene increased marginally by 1.59 per cent.

EPRA noted that Kenya imports all petroleum products in refined form and prices are influenced by international market benchmarks and the prevailing exchange rate between the Kenya shilling and the US dollar.