The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has given motorists some much-needed breathing space as fuel prices remain unchanged for the second consecutive month. The regulator announced on Monday that it will maintain the current maximum retail prices for Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene through the middle of October, offering a rare moment of stability in what has been a rocky ride for consumers at the pump.
From now until October 14, 2026, a litre of Super Petrol will continue to cost Ksh 214.03, while Diesel remains pegged at Ksh 217.86 and Kerosene at Ksh 191.38. This decision comes at a time when global oil markets have been anything but calm, with international benchmark prices fluctuating wildly. However, EPRA seems determined to shield Kenyan motorists from the worst of these international swings, at least for the next month.
Behind the scenes, there has been quite a bit of movement in the costs that fuel dealers pay to import petroleum products into the country. Diesel’s landed cost rose to approximately Ksh 124.17 per litre, while Kerosene reached Ksh 130.22. On the international market, benchmark prices stood at around Ksh 144,672 per metric tonne for petrol, Ksh 143,197 for diesel, and Ksh 146,743 for kerosene by August. Yet despite these increases in import expenses, EPRA decided not to pass these costs directly onto consumers at the pump.
What seems to have helped Kenyans is the relative stability of the Kenyan shilling against the US dollar. The local currency held fairly steady at around Ksh 129.72 per dollar in August, which provided some cushion against the sharp swings in global oil costs. This steadiness gave EPRA some room to manoeuvre and keep fuel prices stable while they work on balancing two competing pressures: recovering their import costs and ensuring that ordinary Kenyans can still afford to fill up their tanks.
For motorists who have endured months of price fluctuations and uncertainty, this decision represents a welcome relief. The price of Super Petrol has now remained unchanged for three consecutive months after a marginal drop of Ksh 0.22 per litre back in June 2026. For those dependent on diesel and kerosene, the stability offers a chance to plan their transport costs without worrying about sudden shocks.
However, fuel prices are not uniform across Kenya. Different regions pay different amounts depending on where they are located, as transport costs from the coast to inland depots are factored into each area’s final price. In Mombasa, motorists will pay Ksh 210.87 per litre for petrol, Ksh 214.58 for diesel, and Ksh 188.09 for kerosene. Over in Nakuru, Super Petrol costs Ksh 212.92 per litre, Diesel Ksh 217.27, and Kerosene Ksh 190.81.
The regional variations continue across the country, with smaller towns and cities showing the widest range in prices. Kilifi will see some of the lowest petrol prices at Ksh 211.68 per litre, while Mandera continues to have the highest at Ksh 234.68, reflecting the greater distance and transport costs involved in reaching these areas. Eldoret and Kisumu both sit at Ksh 213.69, while Meru comes in at Ksh 218.67 and Kitale at Ksh 213.94.
EPRA made it clear that these prices include Value Added Tax and comply with various tax regulations including the VAT Act of 2013 and the Finance Act of 2023. The authority noted that while international crude oil prices have been under pressure, the Kenyan shilling’s relative strength against the dollar has helped ease some of the pressure on import costs.
The next review of fuel prices is scheduled for mid-October, and there is cautious optimism among motorists that another round of stability might be in the cards. The regulatory balancing act that EPRA is performing shows how Kenya’s fuel pricing doesn’t operate in isolation from global markets, but the authority is doing its best to protect consumers from being battered by every swing in international oil prices. For now, at least, Kenyans can fill up their tanks knowing exactly what they will pay for the next month.
