Rinnovabili • Fuel pump nozzle refuelling a vehicle at a petrol station Rinnovabili • Fuel pump nozzle refuelling a vehicle at a petrol station

Kenya raises fuel prices amid higher import costs

Kenya has raised petrol, diesel and kerosene prices for 15 October to 14 November 2026, citing higher imported fuel costs. The increase has prompted warnings of higher matatu fares and a threat of peaceful protests over fuel pricing and import arrangements.

Refill and filling Oil Gas Fuel at station. Photo: Depositphotos.

Kenya fuel prices have increased for the period from 15 October to 14 November 2026, following higher costs for imported refined petroleum products.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced the new prices on 14 October. Super petrol increased by KSh 12.93 per litre, diesel by KSh 9.90 and kerosene by KSh 28.49, according to EPRA’s October fuel-price announcement.

In Nairobi, Kenya, the maximum retail price of super petrol is now KSh 226.96 per litre. Diesel costs KSh 227.76 per litre, while kerosene costs KSh 219.87 per litre. Prices vary by location, with EPRA publishing separate maximum rates for towns across the country.

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported super petrol rose by 11.81% between August and September 2026. The landed cost of diesel increased by 11.32%, while kerosene rose by 9.41%.

Kenya imports its petroleum products in refined form. Import costs are influenced by international petroleum-product benchmarks and the exchange rate used to convert costs from US dollars into Kenyan shillings.

The revised prices include value-added tax (VAT) at 8%, below Kenya’s standard VAT rate of 16%. EPRA said the lower rate was intended to cushion consumers against higher international petroleum prices.

Higher fuel prices raise transport-cost concerns

Higher fuel prices have also caused concerns about transport costs. Kenya’s matatu operators have warned that rising fuel expenses could lead to fare increases, potentially passing part of the additional cost on to commuters, according to Nation Africa. The Motorists Association of Kenya has also threatened peaceful protests over the latest price increase and called for greater scrutiny of the government’s fuel-import arrangement, Eastleigh Voice reports.

The new maximum retail prices will remain in force until 14 November 2026.

Rinnovabili •

About Author / Nura Barrow

Nura Barrow is a multilingual journalist, editor and communications specialist with over seven years of experience in digital journalism, research and reporting on the Horn of Africa and wider sub-Saharan Africa. She has worked with BBC Monitoring since 2019, specialising in political, security and regional developments, with expertise in monitoring, translating and analysing local-language sources. Her experience also includes data journalism, research and editorial analysis. Fluent in English, Somali, Oromo and Kiswahili, she brings strong regional knowledge and a data-driven approach to reporting on Africa’s evolving energy and sustainability landscape.