Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has revealed that the government has put in place a raft of measures to shield consumers from the full impact of rising fuel costs.
This follows an increase in super petrol by Ksh16.65 per litre and diesel prices by Ksh46.29 per litre, while kerosene prices remained unchanged.
In a statement, the Energy CS linked the recent rise in fuel prices in the country to growing instability in the global oil market caused by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“The continued geopolitical tensions in the region have disrupted global energy markets, leading to a sharp increase in international crude oil prices and elevated freight and supply chain costs,” he stated.
Opiyo Wandayi defends fuel price hike to Middle East conflict
According to Wandayi, Kenya, like many other countries that rely on imported petroleum products, remains vulnerable to external market shocks affecting global oil supply and pricing.
He insisted that the increase in pump prices for super petrol and diesel was in line with prevailing global market conditions, exchange rate pressures and rising supply chain costs.
He further said that during the latest review cycle, the landed cost of imported Super Petrol rose from Ksh106,242.99 per cubic metre in March 2026 to Ksh116,948.98 per cubic metre in April 2026, representing a 10 per cent increase.
Additionally, diesel’s landed cost increased sharply by 20.32 per cent from Ksh138,576.47 per cubic metre to Ksh166,730.02 per cubic metre over the same period.
Despite that, the government maintained kerosene prices at the current level through targeted support measures aimed at protecting vulnerable households that depend on the fuel for domestic use.
Wandayi also discoursed that the ministry was engaging stakeholders in the energy, transport, manufacturing and business sectors to identify practical and sustainable ways of minimising the impact of rising fuel prices on consumers.
Additionally, Ksh5 billion had been applied during the current review period to moderate the extent of price increases for Diesel and Kerosene while ensuring stability in the petroleum supply chain.
The Ministry assured that it is engaging stakeholders in the energy, transport, manufacturing and business sectors to identify practical and sustainable ways of minimising the impact of rising fuel prices on consumers.
