The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced that the maximum retail prices for petroleum products will remain unchanged for the period from Saturday, November 15, 2025, to Sunday, December 14, 2025. This marks the second month in a row that pump prices have been held steady, providing a measure of relief to Kenyans amid fluctuating global energy markets.

In a statement released on Friday, November 14, 2025, EPRA confirmed that in Nairobi, Super Petrol will continue to retail at KSh 184.52, Diesel at KSh 171.47, and Kerosene at KSh 154.78 per litre. Prices in other major towns have also been maintained, with Mombasa at KSh 181.24 for petrol and KSh 168.19 for diesel, and Kisumu at KSh 184.37 for petrol and KSh 171.68 for diesel.

A Mixed Bag of Landed Costs

The decision to hold prices stable comes despite a mixed performance in the landed cost of imported petroleum products from October 2025. According to EPRA, the average landed cost of imported Super Petrol decreased slightly by 0.18%, from US$620.24 per cubic metre in September to US$619.14 in October. However, the cost of Diesel rose by 1.81%, from US$623.75 to US$635.05 per cubic metre, while Kerosene saw a 0.71% increase, from US$627.72 to US$632.16 per cubic metre over the same period.

The stability at the pump, therefore, indicates a government intervention to cushion consumers from the higher costs of diesel and kerosene, which are critical for the transport, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, as well as for household lighting and cooking.

Global Market Pressures

The fluctuations in landed costs are directly linked to the international oil market. Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, traded at around $63 to $65 per barrel in October and rose to approximately $64.26 by November 14, 2025. These prices, while lower than in previous years, are influenced by ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply adjustments by major oil-producing nations. As Kenya imports all its petroleum in refined form, local pump prices remain highly susceptible to these global shifts, as well as the performance of the Kenya Shilling against the US Dollar.

Economic Implications and Sector Reactions

The decision to maintain stable prices offers crucial predictability for the Kenyan economy. For motorists and commuters, it means transport fares are unlikely to see immediate increases. The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has previously implemented fare hikes in response to rising fuel costs, highlighting the direct impact on the public transport sector. Stability in diesel prices is particularly significant for the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, where it is a primary driver of operational and production costs. This helps in managing inflation, which can be heavily influenced by fuel prices.

However, the underlying cost of fuel remains a concern. The final price paid by consumers includes a significant portion of taxes and levies, which can account for over 40% of the retail price. These include Value Added Tax (VAT) at 16%, excise duty, the Road Maintenance Levy, and the Petroleum Development Levy, among others. While these charges are crucial for government revenue, their impact on the final pump price continues to be a subject of public debate, especially when global oil prices are high.

EPRA has reiterated its mandate under the Petroleum Act of 2019 to regulate prices in a manner that ensures importation and other prudently incurred costs are recovered while providing reasonable prices to consumers. The current stability, achieved by forgoing a price increase on diesel and kerosene, underscores the delicate balancing act between market forces and the need to protect consumers from price volatility.