Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi now says that the difference in fuel prices between Kenya and Tanzania is mainly due to the timing of fuel imports rather than major pricing gaps.
Mbadi on Tuesday, May 19, disclosed that Tanzania is currently using fuel stocks imported in March this year, while Kenya is already consuming fuel brought in April 2026, when global oil prices were higher.
Speaking during an interview at a local radio station, he dismissed claims that Kenya’s fuel prices are excessively higher than those in Tanzania, saying the difference is largely due to the timing of fuel stock imports.
“The difference in fuel prices in Kenya and Tanzania is not too big. Tanzania is still using fuel meant for March this year, while Kenya is currently using fuel brought into the country in April,” Mbadi explained.
Treasury CS John Mbadi presenting the 2026 Budget Policy Statement to the Budget and Appropriations Committee on March 2, 2026.
Photo
Treasury
He added that once Tanzania and Uganda begin using their April fuel consignments in the coming weeks, their fuel prices are also expected to rise sharply, surpassing that of Kenya.
“In the next two to three weeks, when Tanzania and Uganda begin using their April stocks, their fuel prices will go very high compared to Kenya,” he stated.
Mbadi further attributed Kenya’s fuel pricing to the country’s high fuel consumption levels, saying Kenya’s larger economy naturally requires more petroleum products than its neighbours.
“What people should know is that Kenya uses a lot of fuel compared to Tanzania because our economy is big, so we consume a lot of fuel,” he said.
Currently diesel prices in Tanzania retail at Ksh204 compared to Kenya’s Ksh232 while Super petrol is Ksh211 compared to Kenya’s Ksh214.
At the same time, the CS expressed optimism that fuel prices could start dropping significantly from June this year if the current trend in global oil markets continues.
Mbadi linked the anticipated relief to easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a planned military attack against Iran had been put on hold to pave the way for talks.
“When you saw Trump’s announcement yesterday, you could see that global fuel prices have begun going down, and so we expect that if the trend continues, then Kenyans should expect a reduction in prices from June onwards,” Mbadi noted.
His remarks come amid pressure from transport operators and other Kenyans who are calling on the government to lower fuel prices following recent increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Motorists at a petrol station in Kinoo along Waiyaki Way on January 7, 2023.
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