How EPRA’s latest fuel prices will affect major Kenyan towns
By Aloys Michael, May 15, 2026Motorists across Kenya are set to dig deeper into their pockets after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced sharp increases in fuel prices for the May–June pricing cycle.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 14, 2026, EPRA said the price of Super Petrol had increased by Ksh16.65 per litre while diesel rose by Ksh46.29 per litre. Kerosene prices remain unchanged.
“In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel increase by Ksh16.65 per litre and Ksh46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of kerosene remains unchanged,” EPRA said.
The new prices will take effect from May 15, 2026, to June 14, 2026, and are expected to significantly affect transport, business operations and household costs in towns across the country.
In Nairobi, motorists will now pay Ksh214.25 per litre of Super Petrol, Ksh242.92 for diesel and Ksh152.78 for kerosene. The increase marks a major jump from the previous April–May cycle, when petrol retailed at Ksh197.60 and diesel at Ksh196.63 following a reduction in Value Added Tax from 13 per cent to 8 per cent.
Residents in Mombasa will pay Ksh211.09 per litre for Super Petrol, Ksh239.64 for diesel and Ksh149.49 for kerosene under the new review.
In Nakuru and surrounding towns, the impact will also be felt sharply. In Mai Mahiu, motorists will pay Ksh214.10 for petrol and Ksh242.76 for diesel. In nearby Nyeri, petrol will retail at Ksh216.12 while diesel will cost Ksh244.93 per litre.
In Embu, Super Petrol will retail at Ksh215.69 per litre, diesel at Ksh244.46 and kerosene at Ksh154.31.
Although Kisumu was not listed in the summary table released by EPRA, motorists in the lakeside city are also expected to face higher fuel prices compared to the previous cycle.
In Eldoret and surrounding regions, fuel prices are also projected to rise sharply in line with the latest review.
Northern Kenya continues to record the highest fuel prices in the country due to transport and logistics costs. In Mandera, motorists will now pay Ksh234.90 per litre of petrol, Ksh265.10 for diesel and Ksh174.96 for kerosene, making it the most expensive town in the latest review.
In Moyale, Super Petrol will retail at Ksh229.10 per litre while diesel will cost Ksh258.86.
To cushion consumers from the steep increase, EPRA said the government would utilise the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to subsidise diesel and kerosene prices.
“The Government will in this cycle cushion consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund by utilising approximately Ksh5 billion to subsidise the prices of diesel and kerosene,” EPRA said.
The regulator attributed the latest increase to rising international fuel prices. According to EPRA, the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose by 10 per cent from Ksh106,927.13 per cubic metre in March to Ksh117,710.01 in April.
Diesel recorded the sharpest increase, with the landed cost rising by 20.32 per cent from s,596.60 to Ksh167,939.39 per cubic metre.
Kerosene prices increased marginally by 1.59 per cent during the same period.
EPRA noted that Kenya imports all petroleum products in refined form and that local pump prices are largely influenced by international market benchmarks and the prevailing exchange rate between the Kenyan shilling and foreign currencies.