Nairobi, Kenya — Motorists across the country can breathe a temporary sigh of relief after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced that fuel prices will remain unchanged for the next one month, despite volatility in global oil markets.
In its monthly review released on Tuesday, October 14, EPRA confirmed that the retail prices of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene will remain constant for the period between October 15 and November 14, 2025.
“In accordance with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No.192 of 2022, we have calculated the maximum retail prices of petroleum products which will be in force from 15th October 2025 to 14th November 2025. In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene remain unchanged,” EPRA stated.
This means that in Nairobi, motorists will continue to pay:
Ksh184.52 for Super Petrol
Ksh171.47 for Diesel
Ksh154.78 for Kerosene
The prices, EPRA clarified, already include all applicable taxes and levies such as the 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) in line with the Finance Act 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, and inflation-adjusted excise duty rates.
Mixed Signals in Global Oil Markets
According to EPRA, the decision to maintain prices was influenced by mixed trends in the global market during September.
The average landed cost of imported Super Petrol fell marginally by 0.10%, from US$620.84 per cubic metre in August to US$620.24 in September. However, Diesel prices rose by 1.57%, while Kerosene saw a sharper 2.97% increase.
This delicate balance between rising and falling global prices likely prompted EPRA to hold domestic rates steady rather than pass minor fluctuations to consumers.
Energy economists note that the stable pricing may also be a political decision aimed at cushioning Kenyans from further cost-of-living pressures, particularly amid global economic uncertainty and the weakening shilling.
Tightening Oversight: Crackdown on Fuel Adulteration
EPRA’s latest announcement comes just weeks after the authority intensified its surveillance on fuel quality nationwide.
In a compliance report released earlier in July, EPRA revealed that it had shut down eight petrol stations across several counties after discovering cases of fuel adulteration and non-compliance.
Between April and June 2025, EPRA conducted 5,966 tests at 1,331 fuel retail sites, with 17 stations (1.28%) failing to meet quality standards.
Among those penalized were:
Eunik Investment Filling Station, Siaya County – for selling diesel adulterated with domestic kerosene.
Mayarfa Filling Station, Bungoma County – for selling diesel with high sulphur content.
Ajdowa Filling Station, Trans Nzoia County – for selling petrol with excess sulphur levels.
Osere City and Adenya Filling Stations, Busia County – for selling adulterated petrol and diesel meant for export.
Patience and Paru Filling Stations, Tharaka Nithi County – both caught selling adulterated diesel and petrol with excessive sulphur.
MEIFAM Petroleum, Machakos County – for retailing high-sulphur diesel.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo has vowed to sustain the crackdown, emphasizing that adulterated fuels not only damage vehicle engines but also compromise air quality and environmental safety.
“We are committed to ensuring that every litre of fuel sold in Kenya meets the required quality standards. Unscrupulous traders who engage in adulteration will face closure and prosecution,” Kiptoo reiterated.
Balancing Stability and Enforcement
EPRA’s dual approach — maintaining stable pump prices while enforcing strict compliance — reflects an attempt to steady the petroleum sector amid rising operational costs, forex pressures, and a fragile global market.
While motorists may welcome the pause in price hikes, experts caution that the reprieve could be short-lived if global crude prices continue their upward trend or if the Kenyan shilling weakens further against the dollar.
For now, Kenyans can expect some stability at the pump — but as the international oil market remains unpredictable, the next EPRA review in November will determine whether this calm persists.
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