Kenya’s energy regulator has lowered maximum retail prices for petrol, diesel and kerosene for the January–February pricing cycle, citing easing global oil prices and changes in the cost of imported fuel.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) said on Wednesday that the new price caps will take effect from midnight on January 15 and remain in place until February 14.
Under the revised schedule, in Nairobi:
- Super petrol will sell at KSh 182.52 (US$1.41) per litre, down by 2 shillings from the previous cycle.
- Diesel will retail at KSh 170.47 (US$1.32) per litre, a 1 shilling reduction.
- Kerosene will be capped at KSh 153.78 (US$1.19) per litre, also down by 1 shilling.
EPRA said these prices include the 16 percent value-added tax and revised excise duties set under recent tax legislation.
In its pricing review, the regulator pointed to changes in the average landed cost of imported fuels. The cost of imported super petrol fell to about US$592.84 per cubic metre in November 2025, from US$619.14 in October, a drop of 4.25%. By contrast, the landed cost of diesel rose to about US$654.24 per cubic metre, and kerosene climbed to roughly US$667.05 per cubic metre over the same period.
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Fuel prices in Kenya are closely linked to international crude oil markets. According to a Central Bank of Kenya report, Murban crude oil a Middle Eastern benchmark traded near US$61 a barrel on January 8, down from about US$62.51 at the end of December, as global supplies remained adequate, but demand softened after the holiday period.
Analysts said the modest decline in crude prices was partly due to increased shipments from Venezuela, which sent out two supertankers carrying roughly 1.8 million barrels each under a new supply agreement with the United States. However, concerns over potential supply disruptions in Iran have limited deeper price falls.
Lower fuel prices offer some relief to Kenyan motorists and transport operators, who have faced high energy costs that feed into transport fares and the wider cost of living. Fuel price adjustments are also a key input into national inflation figures, which influence monetary policy decisions.
In the previous pricing cycle, EPRA data showed that in Nairobi petrol was capped at KSh 184.52 (US$1.43), diesel at KSh 171.47 (US$1.33) and kerosene at KSh 154.78 (US$1.20).
EPRA reviews fuel prices every month based on a formula that takes into account international benchmarks, product import costs, exchange rates, taxes and statutory margins. The next review is expected in mid-February, ahead of the March–April pricing cycle.
