By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, April 17, 2026 - The Central Bank of Kenya says the government is seeking financial support from the World Bank under the Rapid Response Support programme in a bid to stabilise fuel prices amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Rapid Response Support is an umbrella term for the World Bank's fast-disbursing financial windows and policy tools designed to help countries respond immediately to sudden shocks or crises.
This support allows governments to manage the social and economic impact of emergencies, such as natural disasters, health shocks, or conflicts, by providing quick access to liquidity, within days rather than months.
The move was revealed by the CBK’s Governor Kamau Thugge to Reuters on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in the United States, held this week.
Despite not revealing the exact amount the country is seeking, Thugge described the amount as ‘significant.’
The move comes as the government faces public pushback over rising fuel prices, which it has linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that erupted in late February.
In its monthly review on Tuesday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), the regulator, said that pump prices for Super Petrol had been increased by KSh28.69 per litre to KSh40.30 per litre, which triggered uproar from the public.
In a statement on Wednesday, the regulator announced a review of the prices again after the government decided to lower Value Added Tax (VAT) on products.
The adjustment saw the price of Super Petrol in Nairobi drop by KSh9.37 per litre, while Diesel fell by KSh10.21 per litre. The price of Kerosene remains unchanged, although its subsidy has been reduced from KSh108.10 to KSh96.56 per litre.
Following the review, motorists in Nairobi will now pay KSh197.60 for a litre of Super Petrol, KSh196.63 for Diesel, and KSh152.78 for Kerosene.
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