EPRA Maintains Fuel Prices for November-December Despite Rising Import Costs

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has maintained fuel prices across Kenya for the November-December 2026 pricing cycle, keeping the cost of petrol, diesel and kerosene unchanged for the next 30 days.

In a statement issued on Saturday, November 14, the regulator announced that the maximum retail pump prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene would remain at the same levels between November 15 and December 14, 2026.

The decision comes despite an increase in the average landed cost of imported refined petroleum products, with the government injecting KSh4.6 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund (PDLF) to cushion consumers against higher international costs.

“In accordance with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No.192 of 2022, the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has calculated the maximum retail prices of petroleum products which will be in force from 15th November 2026 to 14th December 2026.Taking into account, the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products in the period under review, the maximum allowed retail petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene remain unchanged,” stated EPRA.

Nairobi Fuel Prices Remain Unchanged

Motorists in Nairobi will continue purchasing Super Petrol at KSh226.96 per litre, Diesel at KSh227.76 and Kerosene at KSh219.87.

EPRA attributed the unchanged pump prices to the government’s intervention through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund, which helped offset increases in the cost of importing petroleum products.

“The Government has applied KShs.4.6 Billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to stabilize the computed petroleum pump prices for the November-December 2026 cycle,” the regulator said.

The prices include Value Added Tax (VAT) at 8 per cent, in line with government policy.

Cost of Imported Fuel Rises

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 6.11 per cent, from US$977.55 per cubic metre in September 2026 to US$1,037.30 per cubic metre in October.

The landed cost of Diesel also rose by 6.73 per cent, increasing from US$1,065.38 to US$1,137.09 per cubic metre.

Meanwhile, Kerosene recorded a 0.71 per cent increase, with its average landed cost rising from US$1,098.31 to US$1,106.11 per cubic metre.

The regulator explained that without the government subsidy, consumers would have faced increases of KSh8.58 per litre for Super Petrol, KSh10.54 for Diesel and KSh1.16 for Kerosene.

Global Oil Prices Decline Ahead of EPRA Review

The decision to maintain local pump prices came against the backdrop of declining international crude oil prices.

In its weekly bulletin released on Friday, November 13, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) reported that Murban crude oil had dropped to US$90.07 per barrel on November 12, from US$94.04 recorded on November 5.

The figures represented a reduction of US$3.97 per barrel, equivalent to approximately 4.22 per cent, within seven days.

The CBK attributed the movement partly to easing concerns over possible military escalation in the Middle East.

The shilling also remained stable against the US dollar, exchanging at KSh129.96 on November 12, unchanged from November 5.

Other international oil benchmarks recorded weekly losses. According to Reuters, Brent crude futures settled at US$95.84 per barrel on Friday, November 13, gaining two cents during the day’s trading but losing approximately 2.5 per cent over the week.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures settled at US$88.56 per barrel, down 18 cents on the day and also approximately 2.5 per cent for the week.

The declines marked the second consecutive week of losses for both benchmarks, with Reuters citing concerns about excess global oil supply and weaker demand in the United States.

International crude oil prices are among the factors considered by EPRA when calculating monthly fuel prices. Other components include shipping, insurance, distribution expenses, taxes and applicable levies.

October-November Fuel Prices

The latest review follows an increase in pump prices during the October-November 2026 pricing cycle, which ran from October 15 to November 14.

In its announcement on Wednesday, October 14, EPRA increased the maximum retail prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene by KSh12.93, KSh9.90 and KSh28.49 per litre, respectively.

Following the adjustments, Super Petrol retailed at KSh226.96 per litre in Nairobi, while Diesel sold at KSh227.76 and Kerosene at KSh219.87.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol retailed at KSh223.81 per litre, Diesel at KSh224.61 and Kerosene at KSh216.71.

EPRA attributed the increases to the weighted average cost of imported refined petroleum products during the review period.

September-October Fuel Prices

Before the October increase, EPRA had maintained the maximum retail prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene during the September-October 2026 pricing cycle, which ran from September 15 to October 14.

During that period, Super Petrol retailed at KSh214.03 per litre in Nairobi, while Diesel sold at KSh217.86 and Kerosene at KSh191.38.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol retailed at KSh210.87 per litre, Diesel at KSh214.58 and Kerosene at KSh188.09.

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol had declined by 7.87 per cent, from US$948.92 per cubic metre in July to US$874.26 in August.

However, Diesel recorded an 11.86 per cent increase in its landed cost, rising from US$855.59 to US$957.05 per cubic metre.

Kerosene also registered an increase of 9.71 per cent, with its landed cost rising from US$915.01 to US$1,003.87 per cubic metre.

The regulator has previously explained that Kenya imports all its petroleum products in refined form, making local pump prices sensitive to international petroleum costs and fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Kenyan shilling.

For the September-October review, EPRA used an average exchange rate of KSh129.72 against the US dollar in calculating the maximum retail prices.