EPRA holds fuel prices steady for July-August 2026 cycle

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has announced that retail prices of petroleum products will remain unchanged for the July to August pricing period, giving motorists and households a temporary reprieve from further increases at the pump.

In a statement released on 14th July 2026, the regulator said it had computed the maximum allowable prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene in line with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No.192 of 2022. The new rates will take effect at midnight and remain in force until 14th August 2026.

For Nairobi motorists, the cost of fuel will stay exactly where it was in the previous cycle. Super Petrol will continue to retail at KSh 214.03 per litre, Diesel at KSh 222.86 per litre, and Kerosene at KSh 191.38 per litre.

EPRA confirmed that the maximum allowed pump prices for the three products have not been adjusted during this review period. The decision means that for the next 30 days, consumers across the capital will pay the same rates they have been paying since the last review.

The authority noted that the announced prices are inclusive of Value Added Tax, in accordance with the VAT Act 2013, Legal Notice No.128 of 14th July 2026, the Finance Act 2023, and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024. The rates also factor in revised excise duty charges that are adjusted for inflation under Legal Notice No.194 of 2020.

EPRA conducts monthly reviews of petroleum prices to reflect changes in the landed cost of imported fuel, foreign exchange rates, and applicable taxes and levies. The process is guided by the Petroleum Act and several legal notices that set out how taxes and margins are applied.

The regulator said the current computation followed the formula set out in law, which requires it to consider international market trends, shipping costs, and government policy measures before publishing the maximum retail prices.

Because Kenya imports all its petroleum products in refined form, local pump prices are directly tied to what happens in the global market. The products are traded in US dollars, meaning exchange rate movements also play a big role in determining what consumers pay.

The decision to hold prices steady comes as welcome news for households and businesses that have been grappling with high living costs. Fuel prices influence the cost of transport, food, electricity generation, and manufacturing, so any movement at the pump usually has a ripple effect across the economy.

With Super Petrol remaining at KSh 214.03, commuters who rely on matatus and boda bodas are unlikely to see fare adjustments in the immediate term. Diesel, which powers most commercial vehicles and generators, staying at KSh 222.86 will also help keep transport and logistics costs stable.

Kerosene, which is still widely used by households for cooking and lighting in some areas, will remain at KSh 191.38. This is particularly important for low-income families who depend on the product as an affordable energy source.

Economists note that stable fuel prices can help contain inflation, at least in the short term. When fuel costs rise, they tend to push up the price of almost everything else. Holding them steady gives businesses and households room to plan without the pressure of sudden increases.

EPRA did not specify the exact international price trends that informed this month’s decision, but it referenced data showing movements in the global petroleum market over the past month. Typically, the authority looks at average prices of imported refined products over a one-month period, then applies taxes, levies, and margins to arrive at the local price.

Several factors likely contributed to the decision to maintain current prices. First, global crude and refined product prices have been relatively stable in recent weeks, with no major shocks from supply disruptions. Second, the shilling has shown some stability against the dollar, reducing pressure on import costs.

On the local side, the government continues to apply VAT and excise duty as stipulated in recent finance laws. The inclusion of these taxes means that even if international prices fall, consumers may not see a full benefit at the pump unless there is a policy adjustment.

Kenya’s fuel pricing system is designed to be transparent and predictable, but it remains sensitive to external shocks. Events such as geopolitical tensions, changes in OPEC+ production, and global demand patterns can quickly alter the landed cost of fuel.

EPRA has in the past used the pricing formula to cushion consumers during periods of extreme volatility. At other times, it has passed on the full cost increase to avoid building up arrears in the fuel subsidy system.

The current cycle’s decision to keep prices unchanged suggests that the cost factors balanced out this month. It also reflects the government’s broader objective of managing inflation while ensuring that fuel marketers remain viable.

Industry players welcomed the stability, noting that frequent price changes make planning difficult for transporters and manufacturers. Retailers said maintaining current prices will help sustain demand, especially in a period when many households are adjusting budgets after recent tax measures.

For consumers, the announcement means no immediate changes to household budgets related to fuel. However, analysts caution that the next review in mid-August could look different depending on global oil prices and currency movements.

Civil society groups have continued to call for greater transparency in how the pricing formula is applied, and for more investment in alternative energy sources to reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported petroleum.

The prices announced will remain in effect until 14th August 2026, after which EPRA will conduct another review. The authority is expected to publish the next set of maximum retail prices around the 14th of each month, as has been the practice.

In the meantime, the regulator has urged oil marketing companies to comply with the gazetted prices and warned that it will take action against any station found selling above the approved rates. Consumers have also been encouraged to report cases of overcharging through EPRA’s official channels.

As Kenya continues to navigate economic pressures, the stability in fuel prices for this cycle offers a brief pause. Whether that holds into the next month will depend largely on what happens in international markets and in the country’s fiscal policy space.

For now, Nairobi motorists and households can budget with some certainty, knowing that the cost of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will not change for the next 30 days.