Fuel Prices Stay Put Despite Falling Crude, as Import Costs Rise

Kenyan motorists will have to wait longer for cheaper fuel. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has kept pump prices unchanged for another 30 days. The new cycle runs from November 15 to December 14, 2026. The announcement was made on Saturday, November 14.

In Nairobi, Super Petrol stays at Ksh226.96 per litre. Diesel holds at Ksh227.76, and kerosene at Ksh219.87. These are the same prices set in the previous cycle.

The decision comes even as global crude prices have eased. The Central Bank of Kenya's weekly bulletin, released on November 13, showed Murban crude falling to USD90.07 per barrel on November 12. That was down from USD94.04 on November 5, a drop of about 4.2 per cent. The shilling held steady at Ksh129.96 to the dollar.

Crude prices alone do not set local pump prices. Kenya imports fuel in refined form, so the cost of finished products matters more. EPRA says the landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose 6.11 per cent between September and October. Diesel climbed 6.73 per cent over the same period. Kerosene edged up 0.71 per cent.

EPRA calculates prices using the average cost of imports across the pricing period. A late drop in global prices may therefore not reach pumps until the next review.

The government has also stepped in. It used Ksh4.6 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to cushion consumers. Without that move, Super Petrol would have risen by Ksh8.58 per litre. Diesel would have gone up by Ksh10.54, and kerosene by Ksh1.16.

The freeze follows sharp increases in October. EPRA had raised Super Petrol by Ksh12.93 per litre, diesel by Ksh9.90, and kerosene by Ksh28.49. Those hikes pushed prices to the levels now being held.

The decision brings short-term stability for motorists and businesses. Transport operators, truck owners, and farmers rely heavily on diesel. High fuel costs also feed into food and service prices. Households will therefore continue to feel the pinch.

Relief could come if global refined product prices keep falling. Exchange rates, shipping costs, taxes, and levies could still offset any gains. Motorists will need to watch the next review on December 14 to see if relief arrives.