Government Makes Fresh Decision on Petrol and Diesel

NAIROBI — Kenyan motorists will continue using petrol and diesel containing up to 50mg of sulphur per kilogram for another six months after the government extended its temporary fuel standards adjustment amid continued uncertainty in international petroleum supply chains.

According to a report published by Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced the extension, allowing the country to maintain the adjusted sulphur limit for both petroleum products.

The decision means that the temporary limit of 50mg/kg will remain applicable to automotive gasoil (diesel) under KS EAS 177:2025 and premium motor spirit (petrol) under KS EAS 158:2025.

Kinyanjui explained that the extension followed a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council after a technical assessment of prevailing international supply conditions.

The government cited continued geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and disruptions affecting global petroleum supply chains, including concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, an important international route for oil shipments.

The temporary adjustment was initially introduced in April 2026 after petroleum industry stakeholders raised concerns about difficulties sourcing fuel that met Kenya’s stricter sulphur specifications.

Before the adjustment, the applicable sulphur limit had been reduced to 10mg/kg under the updated fuel standards introduced in 2025. The temporary measure therefore allows fuel with a higher sulphur content to enter the Kenyan market.

The extension is intended to widen the range of available fuel sources and reduce the risk of supply shortages. However, sulphur content remains an important environmental and public health consideration because burning sulphur-containing fuels releases sulphur dioxide, which contributes to air pollution.

The latest decision gives the government another six months to monitor international petroleum markets before reviewing whether the temporary adjustment should remain in place.

For Kenyan consumers, the announcement concerns fuel quality and availability, rather than an immediate change in petrol and diesel pump prices.

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