Gov't extends fuel sulphur limit waiver by six months amid Middle East crisis

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry said the extension followed a request by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council.

According to the Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, the decision follows an assessment of continuing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.

“The decision follows a technical assessment and monitoring of the continuing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and related disruptions affecting global petroleum supply chains, including the Strait of Hormuz,” stated the Ministry.

The extension allows a maximum sulphur content of 50mg/kg in both Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Automotive Gasoline (petrol), under the KS EAS 177:2025 and KS EAS 158:2025 standards, respectively.

The government says the temporary adjustment is intended to expand the available sources of compliant petroleum products and shield the country from potential fuel supply shortages.

The Ministry said the measure would be reviewed at the end of the six-month period or earlier if global supply conditions improve.

It maintained that the adjustment is temporary and intended to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability while protecting economic stability.

The extension comes against the backdrop of uncertainty in international petroleum markets, with the government seeking to maintain access to sufficient fuel supplies despite disruptions to global supply chains.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil transit route and has had disruptions to shipping through the passage, posing risks to international petroleum supplies.