The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced on Wednesday that petrol, diesel, and kerosene prices will remain unchanged for the next 30 days, effective July 15 to August 14, 2026. The decision to hold prices was attributed to stable international crude oil prices and a relatively steady Kenyan shilling against the US dollar.
Current Pump Prices
Petrol in Nairobi remains at KSh 176.64 per litre, diesel at KSh 163.58, and kerosene at KSh 152.93. These prices have been a persistent source of frustration for millions of Kenyans, with transport costs remaining stubbornly high even as global oil prices have softened in recent months.
Energy CS Weighs In
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi announced a KSh 945 million fuel subsidy allocation that will continue through October, with VAT on petroleum products remaining at 8% rather than reverting to the standard 16% rate. The subsidy is designed to partially cushion consumers from the full pass-through of international oil price movements.
Motorists Push Back
Despite the price freeze, motorist and transport sector associations say the relief is insufficient. In a statement issued within hours of EPRA’s announcement, they tabled fresh demands calling for a fundamental restructuring of the fuel pricing mechanism to eliminate what they called “opaque levies” embedded in the price build-up.
Among the taxes and levies included in Kenya’s fuel price formula are the Petroleum Development Levy, the Railway Development Levy, road maintenance levies, excise duty, and VAT. Consumer advocates argue that these add-ons inflate pump prices far beyond what the underlying commodity price would justify.
What This Means for Commuters
Matatu and taxi fares, which spiked sharply during periods of high fuel prices in 2023 and 2024, have not come down proportionally despite slight price stabilisation. The Kenya Transport Association has called for a formal review of the regulatory framework governing public transport fares alongside any future fuel price discussions.
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