Relief for Motorists as EPRA Cuts Fuel Prices

By Irine Chebet

Kenyan motorists and businesses will pay less for fuel over the next month after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a downward adjustment in pump prices in its latest review, offering relief to households and key sectors of the economy.

Under the February 15 – March 14, 2026 pricing cycle, the regulator reduced the price of super petrol by Sh4.24 per litre to about Sh178. Diesel dropped by Sh3.93 to approximately Sh167 per litre, while kerosene declined by Sh1 to retail at around Sh152.78 per litre.

EPRA attributed the reductions to lower international landed costs of imported petroleum products.
Kenya relies entirely on imported refined fuel, meaning local pump prices are closely tied to global crude oil benchmarks, international product prices and exchange rate movements.

A softening in global fuel prices during the review period translated into reduced import costs, allowing the regulator to pass the benefit on to consumers.

The latest cuts follow a series of modest adjustments earlier in the year. In January 2026, EPRA trimmed fuel prices by about Sh2 per litre for petrol and Sh1 for diesel and kerosene, signalling a gradual easing after months of relative stability.

However, pricing cycles in 2025 were marked by volatility. At various points, pump prices were maintained at elevated levels or adjusted upward in response to rising global landed costs, reinforcing concerns that Kenya’s fuel prices remain among the highest in the East African region.

Public reaction to marginal reductions has occasionally been critical. In August 2025, a Member of Parliament dismissed a Sh1 reduction as “insignificant,” reflecting broader frustration over the high cost of living.

Fuel prices remain a key driver of Kenya’s inflation dynamics. Changes at the pump directly affect transport fares, logistics costs and the pricing of goods and services across energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and retail.

While the current reductions may offer temporary relief, they are expected to ease operating costs for businesses and provide modest savings for households as the economy continues to navigate broader cost pressures.

Market analysts say future price movements will largely depend on global oil trends and currency stability, underscoring the continued vulnerability of Kenya’s economy to external energy shocks.