The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the prices of petrol and diesel for the April to May 2026 cycle.
In its latest fuel review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel increases by Sh28.69 per litre and Sh40.30 per litre respectively, while the price of Kerosene remains unchanged.
Under the new review, motorists will pay Sh206.97 per litre for super petrol and Sh206.84 per litre for diesel.
This means the cost of living will also increase in many ways.
Motorists across Kenya will pay more for fuel over the next month after EPRA announced an increase in pump prices for the period between April 15 and May 14, 2026.
The adjustments, EPRA said, reflect a rise in international petroleum product prices, coupled with exchange rate fluctuations and the application of statutory taxes under the Value Added Tax (VAT) framework.
“Effectively, the Value Added Tax rate on Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene has been reduced from 16% to 13% in order to cushion consumers from the high landed cost of petroleum products as a result of the escalated prices in the international market,” acting EPRA Director General Dr. Joseph Oketch said in the statement.
“The Government will further cushion the consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund by utilizing approximately Sh.6.2 billion to stabilize the pump prices.”
He added: “We wish to reiterate that as per the earlier directive from Government, the Super Petrol delivered by One Petroleum ex MT Paloma has not been included in the computation of the applicable prices.”
In Nairobi, the maximum retail price for Super Petrol now stands at Sh206.87 per litre, with Diesel retailing at Sh206.84 and Kerosene at Sh152.78 per litre.
In Mombasa, Super Petrol will go for Sh203.69, Diesel (Sh203.56) and Kerosene (Sh149.49), while in Kisumu it will be Sh206.85, Sh207.06, and Sh153.03 for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene respectively.
The regulator attributed the increase largely to a spike in landed costs, the price at which fuel is imported into the country, between February and March.
Over the review period, the landed cost of Super Petrol rose sharply by 41.53 per cent, while Diesel and Kerosene increased by 68.72 per cent and 105.15 per cent.
EPRA further noted that global fuel prices remain volatile, with petroleum products traded in United States dollars and influenced by international market dynamics.
The exchange rate, therefore – it stated – continues to play a critical role in determining local pump prices.
Kenya has withstood the pressure following the Iran war to maintain the same pump prices for almost two months now, but speculation of a likely rise has led to hoarding of the precious commodity. The current crisis was triggered by the February 28, joint attack on Iran by Israel and America, with Iran’s retaliatory attacks targeting the Gulf states where Kenya sources its supplies from under the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) arrangement.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, has come into sharp focus after US President Donald Trump on Monday announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping as a counter to Iran’s own blockade on a key route that handles 20 per cent of global oil supply.
On Monday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi gave the clearest hint that consumers may have to dig deeper into their pockets at the pump when he appeared before a parliamentary committee. .
“Fuel prices are up worldwide, but I don’t know if EPRA will increase or not, but the truth of the matter is prices are high,” Wandayi told the National Assembly Committee on Energy.
The CS explained that Kenya’s fuel prices are higher than its neighbours’ due to the country’s tax regime; “Our pump prices are slightly higher than the rest of the neighbouring countries because their taxes on fuel are lower than ours.”
Wandayi, whose ministry is under probe over claims of importation of substandard fuel, has defended himself, declaring that he will not resign from office.
[14/04, 22:34] Cyrus Ombati Star: KNH nurses’ strike called off after negotiations
The strike by nurses at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) which began on Monday was officially called off following a breakthrough in negotiations between the hospital management and the Kenya National Union of Nurses and Midwives.
This was a relieve to many patients who were stranded because of the strike.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the agreement was reached after “hours of intensive and constructive negotiations” between the two sides.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I wish to sincerely thank both negotiating teams for demonstrating goodwill, professionalism, and a shared commitment to resolving the issues at hand,” Duale said.
He added that the willingness by both parties “to come to the table, engage candidly, and expedite the process has led to an agreed return-to-work formula that addresses key concerns raised by our nurses.”
The CS noted that the deal touches on several long-standing grievances that had triggered the industrial action, including improvements to medical cover, structured promotions, and measures to ease workload pressures.
He added that the agreement also outlines a plan for the progressive conversion of nurses on contract to permanent and pensionable terms.
“These are important steps toward strengthening staff welfare, motivation, and retention within our health system,” Duale said.
“I also wish to commend the Management of Kenyatta National Hospital for their openness, flexibility, and commitment to finding lasting solutions, while ensuring continuity of essential services during this period.”
With the dispute now settled, the government has urged nurses to resume duty immediately.
“As we move forward, the focus must now shift firmly to delivering quality, timely, and compassionate healthcare services to all Kenyans. I urge all nurses to resume duty promptly and continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and patient care that KNH is known for,” Duale stated.
The Ministry of Health says it will oversee the implementation of the agreement, with monitoring and engagement mechanisms already put in place to prevent future disruptions.
Duale assured the public that the government remains committed to strengthening the health workforce and improving service delivery across public health facilities.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
