The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced new maximum retail fuel prices for the October 15 to November 14, 2026 pricing cycle, setting the Nairobi rate for super petrol at KSh226.96 per litre, diesel at KSh227.76 per litre and kerosene at KSh219.87 per litre (the Standard reported KSh219.85).

The adjustments represent increases of KSh12.93 per litre for super petrol, KSh9.90 per litre for diesel and KSh28.49 per litre for kerosene.

EPRA Director-General Edward Kinyua said September recorded the highest fuel import costs since the Middle East crisis began, and that the latest rise reflects the surge in international petroleum prices.

EPRA data show the average landed cost of super petrol rose 11.81 per cent from $874.26 per cubic metre in August 2026 to $977.55 in September 2026.

Diesel import costs rose either 11.2 per cent (Bizna) or 11.32 per cent, with figures moving from $957.05 to $1,065.38 per cubic metre, while kerosene costs increased 9.41 per cent from $1,003.87 to $1,098.31 per cubic metre.

The regulator noted that the international price of super petrol has more than doubled since the crisis, climbing to $1,300 per metric tonne from roughly $600.

The government reduced value-added tax on petrol, diesel and kerosene from 16 per cent to 8 per cent and extended the relief to January 14, 2027, but EPRA said the tax cut cannot fully offset the higher import costs.

EPRA explained that its kerosene pricing model considers the price gap with automotive fuels to discourage adulteration, and warned that October marks the start of winter in Western markets, which could lift global diesel and kerosene demand.

Regional price tables show Mombasa with the lowest rates (KSh223.80 petrol, KSh224.48 diesel, KSh216.58 kerosene) and remote northern towns such as Mandera with the highest (KSh240.96 petrol, KSh242.23 diesel, KSh234.33 kerosene).

EPRA highlighted likely economic effects, including higher transport and logistics costs for public service vehicles, increased production costs for agriculture and manufacturing that rely on diesel, and a steep KSh28.49 kerosene increase that could strain low-income households.

The regulator cited the newly launched Dangote East African Refinery project as part of broader efforts to improve sector sustainability and reduce sensitivity to global price volatility.

EPRA had kept pump prices unchanged during the September 15 to October 14 period despite a decline in import costs.