EPRA Makes Major Fuel Price Announcement After Global Oil Costs Decline

Kenyans hoping for cheaper petrol, diesel and kerosene have received an unexpected announcement after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) maintained fuel prices despite a recent decline in international crude oil costs.

In its latest monthly review released on Saturday, November 14, EPRA announced that the maximum retail prices of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene would remain unchanged for the November 15 to December 14 pricing period.

The announcement means motorists will continue paying KSh226.96 per litre for Super Petrol, KSh227.76 for Diesel and KSh219.87 for Kerosene in Nairobi.

The decision comes after international crude oil prices recorded a significant decline, raising expectations that Kenyan motorists would finally receive relief following the substantial increases announced in October.

According to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), Murban crude oil prices declined to USD90.07 per barrel on November 12, down from USD94.04 recorded on November 5.

The reduction represented a weekly decline of approximately 4.22%, with the CBK attributing the movement to easing concerns about a wider military escalation in the Middle East.

However, the decline in international crude prices did not translate into lower fuel prices in Kenya.EPRA explained that the average landed cost of imported petroleum products increased during the period under review.

The landed cost of Super Petrol increased by 6.11%, rising from USD977.55 to USD1,037.30 per cubic metre.Diesel recorded a 6.73% increase, moving from USD1,065.38 to USD1,137.09 per cubic metre, while kerosene increased by 0.71%.

To prevent motorists from facing further increases, the government deployed KSh4.6 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to stabilise pump prices.

According to EPRA, without the intervention, petrol would have increased by KSh8.58 per litre, diesel by KSh10.54 and kerosene by KSh1.16.

The latest announcement comes after the October 15 review increased petrol prices by KSh12.93 per litre, diesel by KSh9.90 and kerosene by KSh28.49.

The October increases placed additional pressure on households, transport operators and businesses that rely heavily on petroleum products.

Kenya imports its petroleum requirements in refined form, meaning local pump prices are influenced by the actual cost of imported products, exchange rates, taxes and other components rather than crude oil prices alone.

The unchanged prices will remain in force until December 14, 2026, when another monthly review is expected.

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