Diesel jumps to Sh40.30, petrol up Sh28.69 in EPRA review

Motorists are set to dig deeper into their pockets after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a sharp rise in fuel prices in its latest monthly review, pushing up the cost of diesel and petrol while leaving kerosene unchanged.

In the review released on April 14, 2026, EPRA said the new pump prices will take effect from April 15, 2026, and remain in force until May 14, 2026, marking another adjustment in the cost of fuel that is likely to affect transport and overall living expenses.

Under the revised pricing, diesel will increase by Sh40.30, while petrol records a rise of Sh28.69. Kerosene prices, however, remain unchanged during the period under review.

“In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel increased by Sh28.69/litre and Sh40.30/litre respectively, while the price of Kerosene remained unchanged,” EPRA Noted.

To cushion consumers from rising global fuel costs, EPRA announced that the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene has been reduced from 16 per cent to 13 per cent.

The government will also tap into the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund, using about Sh6.2 billion to stabilise pump prices during the review period.

EPRA further clarified that Super Petrol delivered by One Petroleum through the MT Paloma vessel was not included in the computation of the new fuel prices.

"We wish to reiterate that as per the earlier directive from Government, the Super Petrol delivered by One Petroleum ex MT Paloma has not been included in the computation of the applicable prices," EPRA clarified.

The regulator attributed the latest increase to movements in the landed cost of imported fuel products.

According to EPRA, the average landed cost of Super Petrol rose by 41.53 per cent, while Diesel increased by 68.72 per cent over the review period. Kerosene recorded the highest jump, rising by 105.15 per cent.

In actual figures, the landed cost of Super Petrol rose from Sh75,266.82 per cubic metre to Sh106,526.39, while Diesel increased from Sh82,292.99 per cubic metre to Sh138,764.76. Kerosene climbed from Sh82,684.76 to Sh169,632.55 per cubic metre.

The latest review highlights sustained pressure in the international fuel market, even as the government moves to cushion consumers through tax cuts and subsidies.