EPRA September 2026 Fuel Price Update

CN Quick Facts

Fuel Price Overview in Nairobi

The new prices take effect from 15 September 2026 and remain in force until 14 October 2026. EPRA retained all three maximum retail prices despite mixed movements in the cost of imported petroleum products.

Previous prices – 15 August to 14 September 2026:

• Super Petrol: KSh 214.03 per litre
• Diesel: KSh 217.86 per litre
• Kerosene: KSh 191.38 per litre

The September review therefore delivers no change at the pump for all three petroleum products.

Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene Prices Hold Steady

Kenyan motorists will continue paying the same maximum retail prices for Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene during the latest EPRA pricing cycle.

In Nairobi, Super Petrol remains at KSh 214.03 per litre, Diesel at KSh 217.86, and Kerosene at KSh 191.38 per litre.

The prices apply from 15 September to 14 October 2026.

The decision provides motorists, households and businesses with another month of price certainty following the KSh 5 reduction in Diesel introduced in the previous August-September review.

However, the unchanged pump prices mask significant movements in the cost of imported petroleum products. Super Petrol’s landed cost declined substantially, while Diesel and Kerosene became more expensive to import.

Why Have Fuel Prices Remained Unchanged in September 2026?

The September decision comes against a backdrop of mixed movements in petroleum import costs and renewed volatility in international oil markets.

EPRA reported that the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol declined by 7.87%, from US$948.92 per cubic metre in July 2026 to US$874.26 in August 2026.

Diesel moved in the opposite direction. Its average landed cost increased by 11.86%, from US$855.59 to US$957.05 per cubic metre.

Kerosene also recorded an increase, with its average landed cost rising by 9.71%, from US$915.01 to US$1,003.87 per cubic metre.

This produced a mixed pricing environment:

Despite these movements, EPRA retained the maximum retail prices unchanged.

CN Explained

The landed cost represents the cost associated with procuring and bringing imported petroleum products into Kenya before local taxes, levies, distribution costs, margins and other components of the pricing formula are included.

Kenya imports its petroleum requirements in refined form. This means local pump prices remain exposed to international petroleum markets and other import-related costs.

A decline in landed cost can create room for lower pump prices, but the final retail price is also affected by other elements of Kenya’s regulated petroleum-pricing formula.

What Happened to Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene Prices?

The September review is notable because the three products experienced different movements in landed costs but no movement in their retail prices.

Super Petrol recorded a 7.87% decline in its average landed cost, creating downward pressure on its import cost.

Diesel, meanwhile, recorded an 11.86% increase, while Kerosene’s landed cost rose by 9.71%.

Yet none of these movements resulted in a change to the maximum retail prices.

This means the September review cannot be understood simply by looking at whether the cost of importing each product increased or decreased. The regulated pricing system takes several other components into account before determining the maximum allowable pump price.

For motorists, the practical outcome is straightforward: there is no change in what they pay at the pump during the September-October cycle.

What’s Behind the September 2026 Fuel Prices?

Several factors contributed to EPRA’s September decision.

• Global Petroleum Prices – International petroleum prices remained volatile during the review period.
• Landed Costs – Super Petrol: down 7.87%, Diesel: up 11.86%, and Kerosene: up 9.71%
• Exchange Rate – The USD/KSh exchange rate stood at 129.74 in July 2026 and moved to 129.72 in August 2026, according to reporting on EPRA’s latest review.
• Taxes and Levies: The maximum retail prices include applicable taxes and levies.

What Taxes Are Included in the September Fuel Prices?

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

The September prices include Value Added Tax at 8% under the applicable VAT framework, together with excise duty and other applicable charges. EPRA’s announcement referenced the VAT Act 2013, 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.

This is important because the final price motorists see at a filling station is not simply the international price of crude oil.
The regulated price incorporates the broader cost of importing, handling, distributing and selling petroleum products in Kenya.

Read: Complete Guide to Kenya’s Fuel Pricing Formula

What are the Fuel Prices Across Kenya?

Fuel prices vary across Kenya because of transportation and distribution costs. Under the 15 September–14 October 2026 pricing cycle, selected major towns retain the following maximum retail prices:

The figures show the continued difference between fuel prices at the coast and inland. Mombasa records lower maximum retail prices because it is closer to Kenya’s main petroleum import point, while transportation and distribution costs contribute to higher prices in many inland locations.

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

The decision to maintain fuel prices provides stability rather than a direct saving.

For private motorists, the immediate benefit is predictable fuel expenditure for another month.

Stable Diesel prices provide some predictability for matatu and bus operators.

However, stable fuel prices do not automatically translate into unchanged fares. Operators also have to account for maintenance, insurance, wages, financing, tyres and other operating costs.

Kerosene remains at KSh 191.38 per litre in Nairobi, meaning households that rely on the fuel for cooking or lighting will not face an additional price increase during this pricing cycle.

How Do September 2026 Fuel Prices Compare With Previous Months?

The September review continues the recent period of relative pump-price stability following the sharp increases recorded earlier in 2026.

Compared with June 2026, the September prices show:

• Super Petrol: unchanged at KSh 214.03
• Diesel: KSh 5.00 lower
• Kerosene: unchanged

Compared with September 2025, however:

• Super Petrol is KSh 29.51 more expensive per litre — approximately 16.00% higher.
• Diesel is KSh 46.39 more expensive per litre — approximately 27.06% higher.
• Kerosene is KSh 36.60 more expensive per litre — approximately 23.65% higher.

The longer-term trend therefore shows that September’s price stability is occurring at significantly higher levels than those recorded one year earlier.

Fuel Tips for Car Owners – Maximise Every Drop

Fuel prices remain substantially higher than they were a year ago, making fuel efficiency an important part of vehicle ownership.

1. Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can increase fuel consumption.
2. Drive Smoothly: Avoid unnecessary hard acceleration and heavy braking.
3. Service Your Vehicle Regularly: Keep your engine, tyres and other key systems properly maintained.
4. Avoid Unnecessary Idling: Turn off the engine when stationary for extended periods where it is safe and appropriate.
5. Plan Your Journeys: Combining trips and reducing unnecessary kilometres can reduce fuel consumption.
6. Track Fuel Consumption: Monitor litres used against kilometres travelled. A sudden decline in fuel economy can indicate a maintenance issue.

💡 Read our Why Regular Car Servicing Saves You Money guide for more practical vehicle-ownership tips.

CN Key Takeaways

• Super Petrol remains at KSh 214.03 per litre in Nairobi.
• Diesel remains at KSh 217.86 per litre.
• Kerosene remains at KSh 191.38 per litre.
• The prices apply from 15 September to 14 October 2026.
• Super Petrol’s landed cost fell 7.87% between July and August.
• Diesel’s landed cost rose 11.86%.
• Kerosene’s landed cost rose 9.71%.
• A 50-litre purchase costs KSh 10,701.50 for Super Petrol and KSh 10,893 for Diesel in Nairobi.
• September fuel prices remain substantially higher than September 2025 levels.
• Motorists should continue monitoring international oil prices, landed costs, exchange rates, taxes and the next EPRA review.

What Should Motorists Watch in the Next EPRA Review?

The September price freeze provides motorists with another month of certainty, but the underlying fuel-market environment remains volatile.

One of the most important developments is the sharp rise in international oil prices during September. Brent crude climbed above US$100 per barrel, with concerns over disruptions to petroleum supplies in the Middle East contributing to the increase.

At the same time, the September EPRA review shows that landed costs can move differently between petroleum products. Super Petrol’s landed cost fell by 7.87%, while Diesel increased by 11.86% and Kerosene by 9.71%.

The next review will therefore be important in determining whether the current pump-price stability can continue.

Motorists should watch:

• International crude and refined petroleum prices
• Developments affecting global petroleum supply
• The cost of imported petroleum products
• The USD/KSh exchange rate
• Petroleum taxes and levies
• Government fuel-stabilisation measures
• The 8% VAT rate and its position after October 2026
• Future movements in Diesel, Petrol and Kerosene landed costs

The September review demonstrates an important point for Kenyan motorists: changes in landed costs do not automatically translate into equivalent changes at the pump.

For now, the biggest benefit is stability. Motorists, businesses and households can plan around the same maximum prices for another month, even as international petroleum markets remain unsettled.

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 September 2026 fuel prices? Are you satisfied with the decision to maintain Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene prices, or should motorists be paying less given the changes in landed costs?

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

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