EPRA lowers fuel prices slightly after VAT cut to 8% amid public uproar

Motorists across Kenya will get slight relief at the pump after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a downward adjustment in fuel prices following a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT).

In an addendum to its earlier pricing review released on April 14, EPRA said the revised prices follow a directive by the National Treasury to cut VAT on petroleum products from 13 per cent to 8 per cent under a legal notice dated April 15, 2026.

The regulator noted that the new adjustment will take effect from April 16 through May 14, 2026, replacing the prices announced on Tuesday, April 4.

“As a result, the pump price per litre in Nairobi of Super Petrol and Diesel decreases by Ksh.9.37 and Ksh.10.21 respectively while that of Kerosene remains unchanged,” Acting EPRA Director General Dr. Joseph Oketch said in the statement.

The review means motorists in Nairobi will now pay less for Super Petrol and Diesel compared to the prices announced in the initial April review, offering modest relief after public uproar over sharp increases.

EPRA also indicated that the subsidy on Kerosene has been reduced, dropping from Ksh.108.10 per litre to Ksh.96.56 per litre, even as the retail price of the product remains unchanged.

In Nairobi, the maximum retail price for Super Petrol now stands at Ksh.197.60 per litre, with Diesel retailing at Ksh.196.63 and Kerosene remains at Ksh.152.78 per litre.

In Mombasa, Super Petrol will go for Ksh.194.32, Diesel (Ksh.193.35) and Kerosene (Ksh.149.49).

The changes come just a day after EPRA announced a significant increase in fuel prices for the April–May pricing cycle, citing a surge in global petroleum costs and exchange rate pressures.

In the initial review, the cost of Super Petrol and Diesel had risen sharply by Ksh.28.69 and Ksh.40.30 per litre respectively, while Kerosene prices remained unchanged.

At the time, EPRA attributed the increase to a spike in landed costs, the price at which fuel is imported into the country, driven by volatility in international markets and a weakening shilling.

The regulator had also noted that despite government interventions, including a reduction in VAT from 16 per cent to 13 per cent and the use of the Petroleum Development Levy, global price pressures continued to push pump prices upward.

However, the latest VAT cut to 8 per cent signals a more aggressive attempt by the government to cushion consumers amid growing concern over the rising cost of living.

The VAT cut was announced on Wednesday by President William Ruto, as a measure to cushion Kenyans fromhigh fuel prices, noting that the directive will be implemented for the next three months.

Other measures taken by the government, he said, include the release of Ksh.6.2 billion to further moderate prices and keeping the prices of Kerosene unchanged.