Motorists and households in Kenya will continue paying the same maximum fuel prices for the next pricing cycle after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) reportedly maintained pump prices for the period running from November 15 to December 14, 2026.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol will retail at a maximum of KSh226.96 per litre, while Diesel will remain at KSh227.76 and Kerosene at KSh219.87.
The decision offers temporary relief to consumers who had anticipated possible changes following an increase in the cost of importing petroleum products.
In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, EPRA Director General Edward Mwirigi Kinyua said the government had deployed KSh4.6 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to stabilise pump prices during the latest review.
The intervention helped prevent a potential increase of KSh8.58 per litre for Super Petrol, KSh10.54 for Diesel and KSh1.16 for Kerosene.
According to the regulator, the prices include Value Added Tax (VAT) at eight per cent, in line with the government’s policy of cushioning consumers against high international petroleum prices.
Government uses KSh4.6 billion to stabilise fuel prices
The latest price decision was supported by a government intervention through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund, which is used to cushion consumers against sharp increases in petroleum prices.
EPRA said KSh4.6 billion was applied from the fund to stabilise the calculated pump prices for the November-December 2026 cycle.
Without the intervention, motorists would have faced higher prices across all three major petroleum products.
Super Petrol would have increased by KSh8.58 per litre, while Diesel would have risen by KSh10.54. Kerosene would also have recorded an increase of KSh1.16 per litre.
The stabilisation measure therefore helped keep the maximum retail prices at their previous levels despite rising import costs.
The Petroleum Development Levy Fund is among the mechanisms used by the government to manage the impact of international petroleum price movements on local consumers.
Its use is particularly significant because changes in fuel prices can affect transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and the cost of essential goods.
Cost of importing petrol and diesel increases
EPRA’s latest review showed that the average landed cost of imported petroleum products increased between September and October 2026.
The landed cost represents the cost of bringing imported petroleum products into the country and is an important component in determining the maximum retail prices.
The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 6.11 per cent, rising from KSh127,248 (US$977.55) per cubic metre in September to KSh135,025 (US$1,037.30) in October.
Diesel recorded a sharper increase of 6.73 per cent.
Its average landed cost rose from KSh138,681 (US$1,065.38) per cubic metre to KSh148,015 (US$1,137.09) over the same period.
Kerosene also recorded an increase, although at a slower rate than petrol and diesel.
The average landed cost of imported Kerosene rose by 0.71 per cent, from KSh142,967 (US$1,098.31) per cubic metre in September to KSh143,982 (US$1,106.11) in October.
The increases meant that the government had to intervene to prevent the higher import costs from being passed on to consumers through increased pump prices.
Fuel prices in Nairobi remain unchanged
Under the latest pricing decision, motorists in Nairobi will continue paying the following maximum retail prices:
| Petroleum product | Price per litre |
|---|---|
| Super Petrol | KSh226.96 |
| Diesel | KSh227.76 |
| Kerosene | KSh219.87 |
The rates apply to the November 15 to December 14, 2026 pricing period.
Fuel prices are not uniform across the country because transportation and distribution costs vary depending on the location of individual towns.
EPRA publishes separate maximum retail prices for different parts of Kenya, meaning motorists outside Nairobi should consult the regulator’s official schedule to establish the applicable rates in their areas.
The published prices are maximum permitted pump prices rather than mandatory charges that every station must impose. Retailers may sell below the stipulated maximum.
What unchanged fuel prices mean for households and businesses
Maintaining fuel prices provides some predictability for motorists, transport operators and businesses that depend heavily on petroleum products.
Petrol is widely used by private motorists, motorcycle operators and other road users, while Diesel is important to the freight transport, public transport, agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
An increase in diesel prices can raise the cost of transporting food and other commodities, potentially putting additional pressure on household budgets.
Kerosene is also important to households that rely on it for cooking and lighting.
By preventing the projected increases, the government has temporarily avoided passing the additional import costs directly to consumers.
However, the stabilisation intervention does not necessarily mean that international petroleum prices have fallen. EPRA’s figures show that the landed costs of all three imported products increased during the period under review.
The latest decision instead reflects the government’s use of public funds to cushion consumers against the higher costs.
EPRA’s fuel price review
EPRA reviews maximum retail petroleum prices every month in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework.
The calculations take into account the cost of imported petroleum products and other components used in determining the final pump prices, including applicable taxes, levies and distribution costs.
The latest announcement comes as households and businesses continue to monitor developments in the international oil market and their potential impact on the cost of living.
For the November-December cycle, the government’s KSh4.6 billion intervention has helped maintain the existing maximum prices in Nairobi.
Motorists will therefore continue paying KSh226.96 for a litre of Super Petrol, KSh227.76 for Diesel and KSh219.87 for Kerosene until December 14, subject to the applicable EPRA price schedule.
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