EPRA March 2026 Fuel Price Update

CN Quick Facts

Fuel Price Overview in Nairobi:

Previous prices – 15 February to 14 March 2026:

• Super Petrol: KSh 178.28 per litre
• Diesel: KSh 166.54 per litre
• Kerosene: KSh 152.78 per litre

The March decision means motorists will pay the same maximum retail prices for a second consecutive pricing cycle, despite increases in the landed costs of all three petroleum products.

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 March 2026 pricing cycle after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) maintained the prices.

The new pricing cycle runs from 15 March to 14 April 2026. In Nairobi, Super Petrol remains at KSh 178.28 per litre, Diesel at KSh 166.54, and Kerosene at KSh 152.78.

The decision comes despite higher landed costs for imported petroleum products during the period used for the review. EPRA said the calculations considered vessels received and discharged between 10 February and 9 March 2026, with most of the cargoes being priced in February. As a result, the effects of the emerging situation in the Middle East had not yet been reflected in the March pump prices.

Why Have Fuel Prices Remained Unchanged in March 2026?

Unlike the January and February reviews, when motorists benefited from lower prices, EPRA has kept the March prices unchanged. The decision comes as the cost of imported petroleum products increased during the period considered for the review.

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased by 1.00%, from US$576.34 per cubic metre in January 2026 to US$582.11 per cubic metre in February 2026. Diesel recorded a much larger increase of 8.46%, rising from US$586.80 to US$636.45 per cubic metre. Kerosene increased by 6.79%, from US$598.82 to US$639.48 per cubic metre.

Despite these increases, the maximum retail prices remained unchanged for the March-April cycle.

CN Explained

The landed cost represents the cost associated with bringing imported petroleum products into Kenya before other domestic costs, taxes, levies and margins are incorporated into the final retail price.

Because Kenya imports its petroleum products in refined form, changes in international petroleum markets can influence local fuel costs. The products are traded using international benchmarks and are denominated in US dollars, meaning the exchange rate between the US dollar and Kenyan shilling is also important.

A rise in landed cost does not necessarily mean an equal rise at the pump because other components of the petroleum pricing mechanism can influence the final maximum retail price.

What Taxes Are Included in the March Fuel Prices?

The March 2026 prices include applicable taxes and levies.

EPRA stated that the prices include 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in accordance with the Finance Act 2023 and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, together with revised excise-duty rates adjusted for inflation under Legal Notice No. 194 of 2020.

The pump price therefore reflects more than the international cost of petroleum. Taxes, levies, import costs, distribution expenses and other components of the pricing formula all contribute to the final price motorists see at the station.

What’s Behind the March 2026 Fuel Prices?

EPRA’s March review was influenced by several factors:

• Landed Cost – Super Petrol increased by 1.00%, Diesel by 8.46%, and Kerosene by 6.79% between January and February 2026.
• International Petroleum Markets – The cost of imported petroleum products increased during the review period, putting upward pressure on the underlying cost of fuel.
• Forex Rates – Kenya’s fuel imports are priced in US dollars, so movements in the USD/KSh exchange rate remain an important part of the domestic pricing calculation.
• Timing of Imported Cargoes – EPRA’s calculations considered cargoes received between 10 February and 9 March. Most were February-priced cargoes, meaning the effects of the developing Middle East situation had not yet flowed through to the March prices.

This timing is particularly important for understanding why the March prices remained stable even as international energy-market risks were increasing.

What are the Fuel Prices Across Kenya?

Fuel prices vary across Kenya because of transportation and distribution costs. EPRA therefore publishes maximum retail prices for individual towns.

EPRA’s national price list shows significant differences between locations, particularly in more remote parts of the country where distribution costs are higher.

For example, during this pricing cycle, motorists in Mandera face maximum prices of KSh 200.46 for Super Petrol, KSh 188.72 for Diesel and KSh 174.96 for Kerosene.

What Does the March Fuel Price Decision Mean for Motorists and the Economy?

The decision to maintain fuel prices at KSh 178.28 per litre for Super Petrol provides crucial short-term cost predictability for motorists, ride-hailing drivers, PSV operators, and commercial fleets amidst rising international petroleum costs. However, this relief may be short-lived if global prices continue to climb.

How Do March 2026 Fuel Prices Compare With Previous Months?

The March review marks a pause after two consecutive months of falling fuel prices.

The short-term trend is clear: fuel prices fell in January and February before stabilising in March.

Compared with December 2025, Nairobi’s maximum Super Petrol price is now KSh 6.24 lower per litre, Diesel is KSh 4.93 lower, and Kerosene is KSh 2.00 lower.

The March review therefore provides a pause in the downward trend rather than a new price increase.

CN Fuel Budget Impact

For motorists, unchanged fuel prices make monthly budgeting easier.

Consider a vehicle using 50 litres of Super Petrol each month.

At the March price:

50 litres × KSh 178.28 = KSh 8,914

A motorist using the same amount of fuel would therefore spend KSh 212 less than they would have spent at the January price of KSh 182.52 per litre.

For a Diesel vehicle using 50 litres:

50 litres × KSh 166.54 = KSh 8,327

This is KSh 196.50 less than the KSh 8,523.50 required at January’s Diesel price of KSh 170.47.

The savings are more significant for motorists and businesses that consume larger quantities of fuel.

Fuel Tips for Car Owners – Maximise Every Drop

With fuel prices stable for March, motorists can further reduce running costs by improving fuel efficiency.

1. Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can increase fuel consumption. Check your tyre pressures regularly and use the manufacturer’s recommended pressures.
2. Drive Smoothly: Avoid aggressive acceleration and unnecessary hard braking. Smooth driving helps reduce fuel consumption.
3. Service Your Vehicle Regularly: Keep up with scheduled servicing and address warning signs that could affect engine performance or fuel efficiency.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Idling: If your vehicle will remain stationary for an extended period and it is safe to switch the engine off, avoiding unnecessary idling can reduce fuel waste.

💡 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 178.28 per litre in Nairobi.
• Diesel remains at KSh 166.54 per litre.
• Kerosene remains at KSh 152.78 per litre.
• The prices apply from 15 March to 14 April 2026.
• March marks the second consecutive month with the same pump prices.
• Landed costs increased for all three petroleum products during the review period.
• Super Petrol landed cost increased by 1.00%.
• Diesel landed cost increased by 8.46%.
• Kerosene landed cost increased by 6.79%.
• EPRA said most cargoes considered in the review were February-priced shipments, so the developing Middle East situation had not yet affected the March prices.
• Motorists should watch international petroleum prices, exchange rates and the next EPRA review.

What Should Motorists Watch in the Next EPRA Review?

The March decision provides temporary price stability, but the higher landed costs recorded during the review period are an important signal for motorists. EPRA noted that most of the cargoes considered in the March calculation were February-priced shipments. This means that developments in international petroleum markets after those cargoes were priced had not yet been fully reflected in the March pump prices.

For motorists, this makes the April review particularly important. Changes in global petroleum prices, the cost of imported products, the USD/KSh exchange rate and other components of the pricing formula could determine whether prices remain stable or change in the next cycle.

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 March 2026 fuel prices? Do you expect prices to remain stable in April? Share your views in the comments and join the discussion on the CarTalk KE Forum.

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