The latest EPRA fuel price update released today, Sunday, March 15, 2026, has brought a much-needed sigh of relief to millions of Kenyans. Despite an aggressive surge in global crude oil prices fueled by intensifying military conflicts in the Middle East, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced that retail pump prices will remain unchanged for the next 30 days. This decision provides a critical window of fiscal predictability for an economy currently grappling with inflationary pressures and severe weather disruptions.
In the capital city of Nairobi, motorists will continue to pay KSh 178.28 for Super Petrol, KSh 166.54 for Diesel, and KSh 152.78 for Kerosene. These rates, effective from midnight, represent a strategic hold by the regulator during one of the most volatile periods for the global energy market in recent years.
The Widening Gap: Landed Costs vs. Pump Prices
While the EPRA fuel price update shows stability at the pump, the underlying data reveals a starkly different reality for the country’s import bill. According to the regulator’s monthly review, the average “landed cost”—the actual price of importing refined petroleum to the Port of Mombasa—has risen across the board:
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Super Petrol: Increased by 1.00% (from $576.34 to $582.11 per cubic meter).
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Diesel: Witnessed a sharp jump of 8.46% (from $586.80 to $636.45 per cubic meter).
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Kerosene: Rose by 6.79% (from $598.82 to $639.48 per cubic meter).
The fact that these increases were not passed on to the consumer suggests that the government has leaned heavily on the Petroleum Development Levy and stabilization mechanisms. By absorbing these costs, the state has prevented an immediate spike in transport and manufacturing expenses, which would have inevitably trickled down to the cost of basic food items.
Geopolitical Tension and the “Hormuz Factor”
The global context surrounding this update cannot be ignored. International benchmark Brent crude recently surged past $100 per barrel following the escalation of conflict in the Strait of Hormuz—a vital maritime chokepoint through which 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.
Industry analysts had initially predicted a price hike of at least KSh 10 per litre in this cycle. However, EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo explained that the current prices are based on “M-1” cargo vessels—shipments that were received and discharged between February 10 and March 9, 2026. This means the full weight of the March oil spike has not yet been factored into the local arithmetic.
Regional Price Breakdown
Due to the logistical costs of pipeline and road transport from Mombasa, the price update reflects slight variations across the country:
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Mombasa: Super Petrol retails at KSh 175.00, Diesel at KSh 163.26.
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Nakuru: Super Petrol stands at KSh 177.34, Diesel at KSh 165.95.
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Eldoret & Kisumu: Super Petrol is priced at KSh 178.16, Diesel at KSh 166.77.
Looking Ahead: The April 15 Hurdle
While today’s news is positive, economists warn that the “calm before the storm” may be short-lived. If the blockade in the Middle East persists, the next EPRA fuel price update on April 15 will likely reflect the current $100+ per barrel reality.
For now, the government’s Government-to-Government (G-to-G) deal with Saudi Aramco continues to act as a buffer for supply stability. However, with limited strategic reserves—currently estimated to last roughly 30 days—the sustainability of this price freeze will depend entirely on how quickly global tensions de-escalate. For the Kenyan consumer, this month offers a rare reprieve; for the policymaker, it is a race against time to secure affordable energy in a fractured world.
