EPRA July 2026 Fuel Price Update

CN Quick Facts

Fuel Price Overview in Nairobi:

The prices apply from 15 July to 14 August 2026. EPRA retained all three maximum retail prices following its latest monthly review.

Previous prices – 15 June to 14 July 2026:

• Super Petrol: KSh 214.03 per litre
• Diesel: KSh 222.86 per litre
• Kerosene: KSh 191.38 per litre

The July decision means motorists will see no change at the pump for the second consecutive pricing period.

Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene Prices Remain Unchanged

Kenyan motorists will continue paying the same maximum retail prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene during the July-August 2026 pricing cycle.

In Nairobi, Super Petrol remains at KSh 214.03 per litre, Diesel at KSh 222.86, while Kerosene remains at KSh 191.38 per litre.

The prices take effect from 15 July 2026 and remain in force until 14 August 2026.

The decision provides some price certainty for motorists, businesses and households after the significant increases experienced during April and May.

It also means that the KSh 10 reduction in Diesel introduced in the June review remains in place.

Why Have Fuel Prices Remained Unchanged in July 2026?

EPRA’s decision to retain the July 2026 fuel prices comes against a backdrop of continued uncertainty and volatility in international petroleum markets.

The regulator noted that ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East continued to influence global oil markets. Since Kenya imports its petroleum requirements in refined form, movements in international petroleum prices can directly affect the cost of fuel entering the country.

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported petroleum products in June 2026 stood at:

• Super Petrol: US$886.92 per cubic metre, down 1.58% from US$901.16 in May.
• Diesel: US$984.37 per cubic metre, down 23.97% from US$1,294.71 in May.
• Kerosene: US$1,028.17 per cubic metre, down 22.60% from US$1,328.36 in May.

The largest decline was recorded in Diesel, whose landed cost fell by nearly 24% compared with the previous month. Kerosene also recorded a substantial 22.60% decline, while Super Petrol posted a more modest 1.58% reduction.

Despite these significant movements in landed costs, EPRA retained the maximum retail prices for all three petroleum products in July. This indicates that changes in landed costs are only one component of Kenya’s regulated fuel-pricing formula, with taxes, levies, margins, distribution costs, exchange rates and government price-stabilisation measures also influencing the final pump price.

As a result, motorists did not see a corresponding reduction in pump prices during the 15 July–14 August 2026 pricing cycle.

CN Explained

The landed cost is the cost associated with bringing imported petroleum products into Kenya before domestic taxes, levies, distribution costs, margins and other components of the petroleum pricing formula are incorporated.

Because Kenya imports refined petroleum products, changes in international prices can affect the landed cost of fuel entering the country.

However, the pump price is not determined by landed cost alone. Government stabilisation measures, taxes, levies, distribution costs and other components of the regulated pricing formula also influence what motorists ultimately pay.

What Is the Government Doing to Stabilise Fuel Prices?

The government continues to use tax policy and the Petroleum Development Levy Fund as part of its efforts to manage fuel-price volatility.

For the July-August pricing cycle, approximately KSh 945 million from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund was deployed to support price stability.

The government also extended the 8% VAT rate on petroleum products for another three months, through 14 October 2026.

These measures are important when interpreting the July fuel-price decision. Although the average landed costs of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene all declined significantly during the review period, EPRA retained the maximum retail prices at their June levels.

The July outcome therefore demonstrates that movements in landed costs do not automatically translate into equivalent movements in pump prices. Taxes, levies, margins, distribution costs, exchange rates and other components of the petroleum pricing formula also affect the final retail price.

What Taxes Are Included in the July Fuel Prices?

EPRA’s published maximum retail prices are inclusive of applicable taxes and levies.

The July announcement referenced the VAT Act, 2013, together with Legal Notice No. 128 of 14 July 2026, the Finance Act 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024 and revised excise-duty rates adjusted for inflation under Legal Notice No. 194 of 2020.

The continuation of the 8% VAT rate is an important factor in the government’s effort to limit further increases in pump prices.

The reduced VAT rate is scheduled to remain in place until 14 October 2026, meaning its treatment will remain an important issue for future EPRA reviews.

What’s Behind the July 2026 Fuel Prices?

Several factors influenced EPRA’s decision to retain the July-August maximum retail prices:

• Landed Cost – The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol declined by 1.58%, from US$901.16 to US$886.92 per cubic metre. Diesel recorded a much larger 23.97% decline, from US$1,294.71 to US$984.37, while Kerosene fell by 22.60%, from US$1,328.36 to US$1,028.17 per cubic metre.
• International Petroleum Markets – Continued uncertainty in the Middle East contributed to volatility in international petroleum markets.
• Government Stabilisation – Approximately KSh 945 million was deployed from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to support price stability during the review period.
• VAT Relief – The government extended the 8% VAT rate on petroleum products for another three months, through 14 October 2026.
• Exchange Rate – Since imported petroleum products are traded internationally in US dollars, movements in the USD/KSh exchange rate remain an important component of Kenya’s fuel-pricing formula.

The July review is therefore notable because landed costs fell significantly across all three petroleum products, yet the maximum retail prices remained unchanged.

What are the Fuel Prices Across Kenya?

Fuel prices vary across Kenya because of transportation and distribution costs. Under the July-August 2026 pricing cycle, selected major towns have the following maximum retail prices:

The differences reflect the costs associated with transporting and distributing petroleum products from the import point at the coast to different parts of the country.

Mombasa continues to record lower maximum retail prices than Nairobi, while some inland towns have slightly higher prices because of additional transportation and distribution costs.

What Does the July Fuel Price Freeze Mean for Motorists and the Economy?

The July fuel price freeze offers motorists and businesses financial predictability rather than cost savings. Monthly fuel bills stay identical to June: 50 litres of Super Petrol remains at KSh 10,701.50, 50 litres of Diesel at KSh 11,143, and a 1,000-litre commercial fleet bill at KSh 222,860.

While holding diesel at KSh 222.86 helps public transport operators and logistics firms budget without fearing another immediate hike, prices remain significantly higher than early 2026 levels. Consequently, transport businesses still face elevated operating costs, and whether fares remain stable depends on broader expenses like maintenance, wages, and financing.

How Do July 2026 Fuel Prices Compare With Previous Months?

The July price freeze follows a dramatic increase in fuel prices during the second quarter of 2026.

The July figures are unchanged from June.

However, the longer-term comparison shows how significantly fuel costs have increased during 2026.

Compared with February:

• Super Petrol is KSh 35.75 more expensive per litre.
• Diesel is KSh 56.32 more expensive per litre.
• Kerosene is KSh 38.60 more expensive per litre.

The July price freeze therefore represents stability at elevated prices, rather than a return to the lower costs recorded during the first quarter.

Fuel Tips for Car Owners – Maximise Every Drop

Although fuel prices are stable, they remain significantly higher than they were at the beginning of 2026.

Motorists can continue taking practical steps to improve fuel efficiency:

1. Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can increase fuel consumption.
2. Drive Smoothly: Avoid unnecessary hard acceleration and braking to improve fuel efficiency.
3. Service Your Vehicle Regularly: Keep up with scheduled servicing and address warning lights or unusual vehicle behaviour promptly.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Idling: If you expect to remain stationary for an extended period, avoid unnecessary engine idling where it is safe and appropriate.
5. Plan Your Journeys: Combining trips and avoiding unnecessary journeys can reduce monthly fuel consumption.
6. Track Fuel Consumption: Monitor the relationship between fuel used and kilometres travelled. A sudden change can help identify potential maintenance issues.

💡 Check out our Why Regular Car Servicing Saves You Money article for more practical vehicle ownership tips.

CN Key Takeaways

• Super Petrol remains at KSh 214.03 per litre in Nairobi.
• Diesel remains at KSh 222.86 per litre.
• Kerosene remains at KSh 191.38 per litre.
• The prices apply from 15 July to 14 August 2026.
• This is the second consecutive cycle with the same Nairobi pump prices.
• Super Petrol’s landed cost fell 1.58% month-on-month to US$886.92 per cubic metre.
• Diesel’s landed cost fell 23.97% to US$984.37 per cubic metre.
• Kerosene’s landed cost fell 22.60% to US$1,028.17 per cubic metre.
• The government deployed approximately KSh 945 million from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to support price stability.
• The government extended the 8% VAT rate on petroleum products until 14 October 2026.
• Despite significant declines in landed costs, pump prices remained unchanged.
• Fuel prices remain significantly higher than February and March 2026 levels.
• Motorists should continue monitoring international petroleum markets, landed costs, exchange rates, taxes and government stabilisation measures.

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What Should Motorists Watch in the Next EPRA Review?

The July review presents an important development for Kenyan motorists: landed costs declined substantially across all three major petroleum products, yet pump prices remained unchanged.

Diesel recorded the largest movement, with its average landed cost falling by 23.97% between May and June. Kerosene followed with a 22.60% decline, while Super Petrol fell by 1.58%.

The next EPRA review will therefore be closely watched to determine whether these lower import costs eventually translate into lower maximum retail prices.

Motorists should monitor:

• International crude and refined petroleum prices
• The cost of imported petroleum products
• The USD/KSh exchange rate
• Petroleum taxes and levies
• Government fuel-stabilisation measures
• The Petroleum Development Levy Fund
• The future of the 8% VAT rate after October 2026
• How changes in landed costs are reflected in the regulated pump price

The August review could therefore be particularly important. If landed costs remain lower, motorists will be watching to see whether the reduction creates room for lower pump prices or whether other components of the pricing formula continue to offset the decline.

For now, the July decision means motorists have price stability, but not a reduction in the cost of fuel, despite the significant fall in the landed cost of imported petroleum products.

CarNews KE will continue monitoring EPRA’s monthly fuel-price reviews and explaining what they mean for Kenyan motorists, businesses and the wider economy.

Join the Conversation

💬 What are your thoughts on the July 2026 fuel prices? Does keeping Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene prices unchanged provide meaningful relief, or should motorists be seeing lower prices by now?

Share your views in the comments and join the discussion on the CarTalk KE Forum.

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