By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, May 15, 2026 - The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum has attributed the latest rise in fuel prices in the country to global tensions in the Middle East.
In a press statement, Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi said the continued geopolitical tensions in the region have disrupted global energy markets, leading to a sharp increase in international crude oil prices.
He said this has elevated freight and supply chain costs and increased uncertainty in petroleum product availability across several markets worldwide.
“As a net importer of petroleum products, Kenya, like many other economies, remains exposed to these external market dynamics,” Wandayi said in a statement.
The CS added that the latest review of petroleum pump prices has been undertaken against the backdrop of sustained volatility in the global oil market arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In the current pricing cycle, the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol increased from USD 823.27 per cubic meter in March 2026 to USD 906.23 per cubic meter in April 2026, representing an increase of 10 percent.
The CS explained that diesel increased by 20.32 percent, from USD 1,073.82 per cubic meter to USD 1,291.98 per cubic meter over the same period, while kerosene increased marginally by 1.59 percent, from USD 1,311.93 per cubic metre to USD 1,332.73 per cubic metre.
Consequently, Wandayi said the prices of Super Petrol and Diesel have been adjusted in line with prevailing global market conditions, exchange rate pressures, and increased supply chain costs.
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He, however, noted that in order to cushion vulnerable households that rely on kerosene for domestic use, the government has maintained kerosene prices at the current levels through targeted support measures.
“To mitigate the impact of rising global petroleum prices on consumers and the wider economy, the Government has utilized the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) stabilization mechanism to cushion the prices of Diesel and Kerosene during this review period,” he said.
The CS said approximately KSh5 billion has been applied to moderate the extent of price increases while ensuring stability within the petroleum supply chain.
The government, Wandayi said, has also implemented critical policy measures, including the reduction of VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent.
Further, the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework, the CS noted, has continued to shield the country from escalated petroleum cargo freight costs and global premiums.
He said the Ministry is also engaging stakeholders across the energy, transport, manufacturing, and business sectors to identify practical and sustainable measures aimed at minimizing the impact of rising fuel costs on consumers.
“We should all remain vigilant against possible profit-driven exploitative practices during this period of uncertainty, ensuring that consumers are not placed at any further disadvantage,” he added in his statement to the press.