Mwananchi, get ready to dig a little deeper into your pocket. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced new maximum pump prices for petroleum products, and they are higher across the board. The new prices take effect from midnight on Thursday, 15th October 2026, and will stay in force until 14th November 2026.
Super Petrol goes up by KSh 12.93 per litre, Diesel by KSh 9.90, and Kerosene by a whopping KSh 28.49. In Nairobi, a litre of Super Petrol will now sell at KSh 226.96, Diesel at KSh 227.76, and Kerosene at KSh 219.87.
These prices already include 8% VAT, which the government says it keeps in place to cushion consumers from the bad effects of high international prices.
So why are prices going up again? EPRA says it is all about what we pay for fuel abroad. Kenya brings in all its petroleum products in refined form, so whatever happens in the international market hits our pumps directly.
According to the regulator's press release, the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose by 11.81% between August and September 2026, from US$874.26 to US$977.55 per cubic metre. Diesel went up by 11.32%, and Kerosene by 9.41%. When the cost of bringing fuel into the country rises that sharply, the pump price has nowhere to go but up.
For the ordinary person, this is bad news. A boda boda rider who fills up every morning will feel it in the evening earnings. A matatu owner already juggling fares, the SACCO, and the mechanic's bill now has one more cost to worry about, and you can be sure some of that will find its way into your fare. Families who depend on kerosene for cooking and lighting will also feel the bigger jump on that product. Small businesses that run generators or deliver goods around town will see their transport costs climb too.
The government and EPRA are quick to point out that the pricing formula is meant to cover what importers and marketers spend, plus other costs that are considered prudent, while still keeping prices reasonable for consumers. That is the official line. What many Kenyans want to know is how long these hikes will keep coming, and whether the relief measures are doing enough when the dollar keeps shaping our prices.
Until the next review, the best thing is to plan your budget around the new numbers. Check the EPRA pricing for your town, since pump prices outside Nairobi are usually a bit different because of transport costs. And if you run a business that depends on fuel, start talking to your customers early about what might have to change.
0 Comments