EPRA Explains Why Falling Global Oil Prices Have Yet to Lower Fuel Costs in Kenya

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has explained why the recent drop in global oil prices has not yet resulted in lower fuel prices in Kenya, saying motorists may have to wait between 30 and 45 days before any reductions are reflected at the pump.

Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, EPRA’s Petroleum and Gas Director, Edward Kinyua, said the fuel currently being sold in Kenya was imported weeks ago, when international oil prices were considerably higher.

Fuel imports take up to 45 days

Kinyua noted that global oil prices began declining after a truce eased tensions in the Middle East, but the effects are not immediate because of the time it takes to process and transport fuel to Kenya.

“The supply and pricing of fuel are highly dependent on the geopolitical environment. This was one of the worst crises. But I am happy to note that there is a truce and the global oil prices are dropping,” he said.

He explained that before the Middle East conflict, the Free on Board (FOB) price of super petrol averaged US$686 per tonne before rising to US$1,061 per tonne at the height of the crisis.

During the same period, diesel prices increased from US$637 to US$1,383 per tonne, while kerosene climbed from US$681 to US$1,500 per tonne.

According to Kinyua, the delay in lower prices reaching consumers is caused by the entire fuel supply chain, from refining to shipping and eventual delivery to Kenya.

“The international oil prices have dropped, but remember that the barrel has to go into a refining process and then the logistics of ordering, loading, voyage and discharging,” he explained.

“Between now and when the barrel arrives in Mombasa, it takes between 30 and 45 days. That is why it may not be immediately reflected at the pump because whatever we have now was ordered about 30 days earlier.”

EPRA explains temporary fuel quality changes

Kinyua also addressed concerns over the government’s temporary relaxation of fuel quality standards, saying the move was intended to safeguard Kenya’s fuel supply during disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

He noted that Kenya has steadily lowered the sulphur content in fuel over the years to reduce environmental pollution.

“Before 2015, we were at 500 parts per million. We then went to 50 parts per million. Last year in August, we adopted an even stricter standard of 10 parts per million,” he said.

Kenya had relied on fuel with a sulphur content of 50 parts per million (ppm) for nearly a decade before transitioning to the cleaner 10 ppm standard in 2025.

However, Kinyua said supply disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz forced the country to diversify its fuel imports by sourcing products from Europe and India, where many refineries still produce fuel meeting the 50 ppm specification.

“This crisis broke out, and we started diversifying our sources. Because of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we had to source fuel from Europe and India. Many suppliers in those countries are still producing fuel at 50 parts per million,” he said.

Kinyua maintained that the temporary adjustment was necessary to ensure Kenya maintained adequate fuel stocks while global supply chains stabilise.