EPRA Revises April–May Fuel Prices After Public Outcry
Motorists across Kenya can now enjoy some relief after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a fresh downward review of fuel prices for the April–May cycle.
The latest changes come after widespread public concern over the sharp increase that had been announced just a day earlier.
In a statement issued on April 15, 2026, EPRA confirmed that the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, John Mbadi, had revised the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 13 per cent to 8 per cent through a new legal notice.
This tax adjustment forced the regulator to recalculate the maximum retail pump prices that will remain in effect from April 16 to May 14, 2026.
Following the revised VAT rate, the price of Super Petrol in Nairobi has gone down by Ksh9.37 per litre, while Diesel has dropped by Ksh10.21 per litre. Kerosene, however, remains unchanged in this pricing cycle despite the broader tax relief measures.
EPRA further explained that although kerosene prices have not been reduced, the subsidy applied to the product has been adjusted downward.
The subsidy now stands at Ksh96.56 per litre, reduced from the previous Ksh108.10. This means the government is still cushioning households that depend on kerosene, but at a lower support level than before.
With the new review, motorists in Nairobi will now pay Ksh197.60 per litre for Super Petrol, Ksh196.63 for Diesel, and Ksh152.78 for Kerosene.
The revised prices are expected to offer some breathing space to families, transport operators, and businesses that had already started feeling the pressure of the earlier spike in fuel costs.
Lower fuel prices could also help slow the rise in transport fares and the cost of basic goods in the coming weeks.
In Mombasa, the updated prices place Super Petrol at Ksh194.32 per litre and Diesel at Ksh193.35, while Kerosene remains unchanged at Ksh149.49.
The reduction is also being felt in other major towns, giving consumers across the country a measure of relief after days of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, in Nakuru and Kisumu, Super Petrol will now retail at Ksh196.66 and Ksh197.48 respectively. Diesel in the two towns will cost Ksh196.04 and Ksh196.85 per litre respectively.
These revised figures reflect the nationwide effect of the new VAT cut and are likely to influence transport and distribution costs in the regions.
The latest reduction comes barely 24 hours after EPRA had announced one of the sharpest fuel price hikes in recent months, a move that triggered strong reactions from Kenyans.
In the earlier notice dated April 14, 2026, the regulator had raised the price of Super Petrol by Ksh28.69 per litre and Diesel by Ksh40.30, while Kerosene remained unchanged.
At that time, fuel prices in Nairobi had surged to Ksh206.97 per litre for Super Petrol and Ksh206.84 for Diesel, with Kerosene holding at Ksh152.78.
Those prices had taken effect at midnight and were initially expected to stay in force for 30 days before the surprise VAT revision changed the situation.
EPRA had linked the earlier increase to the rising landed cost of imported petroleum products in the international market, especially amid ongoing supply pressures and global crude oil price volatility.
However, the latest government intervention through a deeper VAT cut has now softened the blow and eased the burden on consumers, even if only partially.
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