By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, August 12,2026 - Fresh shipments of petroleum products have arrived at Kenya's ports of Mombasa and Lamu ahead of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority's (EPRA) monthly fuel price review, adding to the country's stocks as motorists await a new pump-price formula on Friday.
The latest cargoes include petrol and jet fuel, while a shipment of fuel oil is expected at the Port of Mombasa on August 13 for use by industries and power-generation plants.
The timing is significant because EPRA is expected to announce new maximum retail prices on August 14, following a month in which petrol, diesel and kerosene prices were maintained at their previous levels.
In Nairobi, petrol is currently retailing at KSh214.03 per litre, diesel at KSh222.86 and kerosene at KSh191.38. The prices remain in force until August 14.
The latest shipments come against a volatile international oil market. Global crude prices had risen sharply amid disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, before falling significantly in early August.
The Central Bank of Kenya said global oil prices declined sharply during the week ending August 6, potentially offering some relief to Kenya ahead of the EPRA review.
However, the price of imported petroleum products is determined by more than the international crude price alone.
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EPRA's monthly formula takes into account the landed cost of petroleum products, which reflects the cost of acquiring and delivering the products to Kenya, alongside other components including storage, distribution and applicable taxes and levies. EPRA has previously explained that the vessels considered in a particular pricing cycle are those that arrive during the relevant pricing period.
The arrival of the new cargoes therefore provides an important indicator of the country's supply position, but does not by itself determine whether motorists will pay more or less from August 15.
Kenya has also been closely monitoring fuel availability following months of disruption in international energy markets. The government has previously used measures including the Petroleum Development Levy to cushion consumers against sharp movements in international prices.
For motorists and businesses, Friday's announcement will be closely watched because fuel prices feed directly into transport, electricity generation, manufacturing and the cost of moving goods around the country.
The current review will consequently determine whether the recent decline in global oil prices translates into relief at Kenyan filling stations, or whether shipping costs, the cost of imported products and other components of the pricing formula continue to keep pump prices elevated.