Kenya Fuel Prices Drop as Lower International Costs Provide Relief to Motorists
Kenyan motorists received modest relief at the pump after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority cut petrol prices by Sh2 per liter, driven by a decline in the landed cost of imported fuel. In its monthly review released on Wednesday, EPRA announced that maximum allowed retail prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will fall by Sh2, Sh1 and Sh1 per liter respectively for the period running from January 15 to February 14, 2026.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Sh182.52, Sh170.47 and Sh153.78 per liter respectively. The regulator attributed the price cuts to a broad-based decline in the average landed cost of fuel imports. Data from EPRA shows the landed cost of Super Petrol dipped slightly by 0.10% from USD592.84 per cubic meter in November 2025 to USD592.24 in December 2025.
Diesel recorded a sharper decline of 4.20% from USD654.24 to USD626.75 per cubic meter, while Kerosene fell by 8.92% from USD667.05 to USD607.55 per cubic meter over the same period. International fuel prices also trended lower in December, with Super Petrol averaging USD651.87 per metric tonne, Diesel USD583.55 and Kerosene USD645.36, down from November levels.
Crude oil markets mirrored the trend, with Murban crude, the benchmark for Kenya’s fuel imports, falling to an average of USD65.79 per barrel in December from USD70.22 in November. The shilling remained relatively stable against the US dollar at about Sh129, helping cushion local pump prices from currency-driven increases. Kenya imports all its petroleum products in refined form, making local pump prices highly sensitive to movements in international markets, shipping costs, and exchange rates.
EPRA noted that pump prices are inclusive of the 16% Value Added Tax and adjusted excise duty, in line with the Finance Act 2023 and the Tax Laws Amendment Act 2024.
Source: capitalfm.co.ke
