How Kenya's fuel prices compare with other East African Countries

On Monday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the cost of petrol, diesel and Kerosene by Ksh.8.99, Ksh.8.67 and Ksh.9.65 per litre, respectively. 

This means that a litre of petrol will go for Ksh.186.31 in Nairobi, while diesel will sell at Ksh.171.58 and Kerosene will retail at Ksh.156.58. 

The sharp hike is expected to trigger a ripple effect on the cost of living, especially in sectors such as food and transportation, whose cost is likely to be passed on to consumers.  

The regulator attributed the increase to the landed cost of the fuel products. Treasury CS John Mbadi recently echoed these sentiments by blaming the global oil market which was affected by the Israel-Iran war.  

These statements stand in stark contrast to the campaign period, when then-candidate William Ruto and his UDA honchos, with reckless abandon, attacked former President Uhuru Kenyatta over rising fuel prices, pledging to dismantle the cartels driving corruption within the government.

"Ile cartel ya ufisadi iko pale ndio inasababisha bei ya mafuta kuzidi bei ya mafuta Uganda. Na hiyo mafuta inapitia Kenya ikienda Uganda. Jameni unaeza kutueleza vipi ati bei ya mafuta hapa Kenya, ambapo ni karibu na mahali mafuta inatoka, iko bei juu kuliko Uganda na Kampala inachukua mafuta kutoka hapa kwetu," Dr. Ruto said in 2022. 

"That is the explanation Kenyans want to know. The corruption cartels at the Ministry of Petroleum should explain to Kenyans why dealers have increased their profits from Ksh.9 to Ksh.12."

The hike in pump prices marked the first time fuel costs had changed by such a wide margin, drawing public backlash as many questioned whether global market trends had similarly impacted Kenya’s neighbouring countries.

Tanzania

According to a spot check by Citizen Digital, fuel prices in Tanzania dropped during the latest review on July 1, 2025. 

According to the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), the prices of Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene retail at Tzs 2,877 (Ksh.142.7), Tzs 2,767 (Ksh.137.3) and Tzs 2,629 (Ksh.130.4) respectively. 

In contrast, fuel prices in June retailed at Tzs 2,885 (Ksh.143.1) for petrol, Tzs 2,826 (Ksh.140.2) for Diesel and Tzs 2,877 (Ksh.142.8) for Kerosene. 

Despite the fluctuation in the global market, EWURA cited that Tanzania's currency strengthened against major currencies, which helped to offset some of the impact on local pump prices. 

Uganda

Retail prices for petrol in Uganda currently retail at USh.5,050 per litre (Ksh.182.21) in most parts of the country, up from USh.4,900 (Ksh.176.72) in May this year. 

Owing to public concerns, Uganda's state-run oil company, the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC), released a statement, blaming the spike on logistical delays along the Kenyan supply channels.  

To safeguard the oil supply, UNOC, however, imported 35 million litres of fuel through Tanzania, which led to higher fuel prices due to the higher transport costs and longer distance. 

The Ugandan government has been keen on stabilising the fuel prices after picking UNOC to assume the role of sole importer of petroleum products for the local market in July 2024. 

Ethiopia

Led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian government ended fuel subsidies in June 2025, meaning that the prices would be directly impacted by the global oil market trends. 

This prompted panic buying and long queues at fuel stations from citizens who raised concerns about fuel supply. In response, the government assured the public that the supply would remain stable. 

Currently, the prices of Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene go for 122.53 birr (Ksh.114.49), 116.48 birr (Ksh.108.84) and 116.49 birr (Ksh.108.85) respectively. 

Rwanda

The state regulator, Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) recently released the latest fuel review, announcing that petrol would be sold for 1,803 Frw per litre (Ksh.161.32) and diesel at 1,757 Frw per litre (Ksh.157.21). 

To cushion its citizens from the global market trends, the Rwandan government pointed to adequate fuel reserves and prudent economic management.