Kenyan motorists are bracing for a significant blow to their wallets as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced substantial fuel price increases for the period July 15 to August 14, 2025. This marks the most dramatic price surge in over a year, breaking a prolonged period of relatively stable fuel costs.
Latest Fuel Price Changes
EPRA’s latest review has resulted in substantial increases across all petroleum products. Super petrol will increase by KES 8.99 per litre, diesel by KES 8.67 per litre, and kerosene by KES 9.65 per litre. These increases represent the steepest price hikes since January 2024, when fuel prices began their downward trajectory.
The new retail prices in Nairobi will be approximately KES 186.31 for super petrol, KES 171.58 for diesel, and KES 156.58 for kerosene, based on the previous cycle’s pricing structure.
What’s Driving the Price Increases?
According to EPRA’s press release, the increases are primarily attributed to rising landed costs of imported petroleum products. The landed cost represents the price of fuel before additional expenses such as taxes, distribution costs, and retailer margins are factored in.
The authority reported significant increases in landed costs between May and June 2025:
- Super petrol landed costs increased by 6.45% from US$590.24 per cubic metre to US$628.30 per cubic metre
- Diesel costs rose by 6.27% from US$580.23 per cubic metre to US$616.59 per cubic metre
- Kerosene experienced the highest increase of 6.95% from US$569.00 per cubic metre to US$608.54 per cubic metre
Breaking the Downward Trend
The July 2025 price increases mark a significant departure from the fuel pricing trends witnessed throughout 2024. Last year was characterized by consistent downward pressure on fuel prices, providing substantial relief to consumers.
Throughout 2024, fuel prices experienced notable reductions:
- January 2024: Prices dropped by KES 5 for petrol and diesel, with kerosene declining by KES 4.82
- February 2024: Further reductions of KES 1 across all fuel types
- March 2024: Significant drops of KES 7.21 for petrol, KES 5.09 for diesel, and KES 4.49 for kerosene
- April 2024: Continued relief with petrol down KES 5.31, diesel down KES 10, and kerosene down KES 18.68
- October 2024: Major reductions with petrol decreasing by KES 8.18, marking the lowest prices in 19 months
- December 2024: Final reductions of the year with petrol down KES 4.37 and diesel and kerosene each down KES 3
2025: A Year of Stabilization Until July
The year 2025 began with a modest increase in January, when super petrol rose by KES 0.29, diesel by KES 2, and kerosene by KES 3. This represented the first fuel price increase in 15 months, ending the sustained period of declining costs.
Following January’s minor adjustment, fuel prices remained largely stable:
- February-March 2025: Prices remained unchanged
- April-May 2025: Slight reductions were implemented
- May-June 2025: Prices held steady at KES 174.73 for petrol, KES 164.86 for diesel, and KES 148.99 for kerosene
- June-July 2025: Super petrol increased by KES 2.69, while diesel and kerosene decreased by KES 1.95 and KES 2.06 respectively
Conclusion
The July 2025 fuel price increases represent a significant shift in Kenya’s petroleum pricing landscape, marking the end of a prolonged period of declining or stable fuel costs. With super petrol, diesel, and kerosene all experiencing substantial price hikes, consumers and businesses must prepare for increased operational costs.
As global oil markets continue to fluctuate and domestic economic pressures persist, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether these increases represent a temporary adjustment or the beginning of a sustained upward trend in fuel prices.
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