EPRA to Announce May Fuel Prices as Global Oil Costs Rise

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority is expected to release its monthly fuel price review on Thursday evening, 14 May 2026. The current pricing cycle ended on 14 May 2026. Under that cycle, pump prices in Nairobi rose above Sh206 per litre for both petrol and diesel after EPRA implemented one of the steepest fuel price increases in recent years.

Fuel prices announced by EPRA take effect at midnight and remain in force until the 14th of the following month. In April 2026, EPRA announced sharp increases in local pump prices due to rising landed costs of imported fuel. Diesel import costs rose by as much as 68 percent within a month prior to the April 2026 price adjustment, while petrol import costs increased by over 40 percent within the same period.

Kenya sourced a significant portion of its diesel and gasoline imports from the Gulf region prior to recent disruptions. Supply disruptions have forced Kenyan importers to source diesel and gasoline from Nigeria and the United States. The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly a fifth of the world's crude supply, and Brent crude prices have climbed sharply in recent weeks as of 14 May 2026.

The International Energy Agency warned this week that the Iran war could push global oil supply below demand throughout 2026. As a net importer, Kenya has incurred billions of shillings in additional fuel costs since the Middle East crisis escalated earlier in 2026.

AllAfrica reported that the crisis intensified after renewed attacks on oil infrastructure in the Gulf region and continued disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The government lowered Value Added Tax on petroleum products from 16 percent to 13 percent in response to April fuel price increases. It also tapped the Petroleum Development Levy to cushion consumers from those increases. Higher fuel prices have triggered increases in matatu fares, food prices and transport costs in several towns as of May 2026.

Business groups and consumer lobby organizations warned that another upward fuel price adjustment could worsen inflationary pressures. Analysts estimate the additional costs have already mounted into billions of shillings. The review expected Thursday evening will indicate whether the government will maintain subsidies to stabilize prices or allow consumers to absorb more of the rising global costs, AllAfrica reported.