A car fueled with petrol following the recent fuel price drop. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
Motorists and households will enjoy modest relief at the pump after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a slight drop in fuel prices for the September 15 to October 14, 2025 pricing cycle.
In a statement issued on Sunday, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo said the maximum retail price of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene has been adjusted downwards. Petrol has dropped by Sh0.79 per litre, Diesel by Sh0.11, and Kerosene by Sh0.80. The changes take effect from midnight and will remain in place for the next 30 days.
In Nairobi, motorists will now pay Sh184.52 for Super Petrol, Sh171.47 for Diesel, and Sh154.78 for Kerosene. In Mombasa, prices have been revised to Sh181.24 for Super Petrol, Sh168.19 for Diesel, and Sh151.49 for Kerosene. In Nakuru, a litre of Petrol will cost Sh183.56, Diesel Sh170.87, and Kerosene Sh154.21. In Eldoret, the new prices are Sh184.38 for Petrol, Sh171.68 for Diesel, and Sh155.03 for Kerosene.
Global market trends shape local pump prices
Kiptoo explained that the minor reductions reflect recent changes in the cost of imported petroleum products. Kenya imports all its petroleum products in refined form, which are traded in international markets based on benchmark pricing.
The average landed cost of Super Petrol declined by 0.46 percent to US$620.84 per cubic metre in August, compared to US$623.71 in July. Diesel registered a larger drop of 3.38 percent to US$614.08 per cubic metre, down from US$635.58. Kerosene also declined by 2.93 percent to US$609.59, from US$628.02 the previous month.
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According to EPRA, these changes in global markets, combined with fluctuations in the US dollar to Kenyan shilling exchange rate, directly influence the adjustments made to local pump prices. Because petroleum transactions are dollar-denominated, a weaker shilling often translates into higher costs for consumers.
The review was conducted under Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No. 192 of 2022, which empower the authority to set maximum retail pump prices. The revised rates also include statutory taxes and levies in line with recent amendments under the Finance Act 2023 and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024.
Consumers brace for impact despite modest reductions
While the drop in prices is minimal, it provides some relief at a time when Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living. Fuel prices are a major driver of inflation, affecting transport fares, food prices and electricity bills. Even small changes at the pump can have a ripple effect across the economy.
During the previous monthly review in August, EPRA reduced the prices of Super Petrol and Kerosene by Sh1 per litre, while leaving Diesel prices unchanged. At that time, Nairobi motorists paid Sh185.31 for Petrol, Sh171.58 for Diesel, and Sh155.58 for Kerosene. In Mombasa, the prices stood at Sh182.03 for Petrol, Sh168.30 for Diesel, and Sh152.29 for Kerosene. In Kisumu, Super Petrol retailed at Sh185.16, Diesel at Sh171.78, and Kerosene at Sh155.83.
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Analysts note that while the current downward revision is welcome, Kenya remains highly exposed to international oil price fluctuations and currency instability. Geopolitical tensions, shifting production quotas by major oil producers, and disruptions in shipping routes continue to drive volatility in the global petroleum market.
As the September–October pricing cycle begins, motorists and households will be watching closely for EPRA’s next review in mid-October, which could either extend relief or push costs higher depending on international and domestic economic trends.
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