Tough times ahead as pump prices for Petrol and Diesel increase by Sh16.65/litre and Sh46.29/litre respectively

Kenyans will face tougher times as the government increased retail prices for a litre of diesel and super petrol by Sh46.29 and Sh16.65 respectively.

For instance, petrol in Nairobi will retail at Sh214 per a liter while diesel will sell at Sh242 per a liter.

This is likely to push up production and transportation costs, a move likely to see manufacturers pass the increased bill to consumers.

Transport costs will also likely rise.

According to the monthly prices released on Thursday evening by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), a litre or super petrol will retail at Sh214.25 while that of diesel will go for Sh242.92 in Nairobi starting Thursday morning.

The price of kerosene was retained at Sh152.78 in Nairobi in a bid to cushion household at the bottom of economic pyramid.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Sh211.09, Sh239.64 and Sh149.49, respectively.

In Nakuru, Super Petrol will go for Sh213.15, Diesel at Sh242.33 and Kerosene at Sh152.21.

The regulator attributed the increased prices to disruption in supply eminating from the ongoing tension between Iran against the US and Israel.

“The Authority has calculated the prices basis 8% VAT on petroleum, products pursuant to Legal Notice No.70 dated 15th April 2026.”

Further, the Government will in this cycle, cushion the consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund by utilizing approximately Sh5 Billion to subsidize the prices of Diesel and Kerosene.
The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 10.00% from USS823.27 per cubic metre in March 2026 to US$906.23 per cubic metre in April 2026; Diesel increased by 20.32% from US$1073.82 per cubic metre to US$1291.98 per cubic metre while Kerosene increased by 1.59% from US$1311.93 per cubic metre to US$1332.73 per cubic metre over the same period,” a statement said.

The announcement attracted a backlash online with many Kenyans condemning it.

The review comes after the controversial April cycle, where EPRA increased the cost of Super Petrol and Diesel by Sh28.69 and Sh40.30 per litre, respectively, leading to a massive uproar from Kenyans who lamented over the cost of living.

This meant that in Nairobi, the maximum retail price for Super Petrol was Sh206.87 per litre, with Diesel at Sh206.84 and Kerosene at Sh152.78 per litre.

At the time, EPRA attributed the increase to a spike in landed costs, the price at which fuel is imported into the country, driven by volatility in international markets and a weakening shilling.