At dawn in Nairobi, commuters again adjusted plans as petrol prices rose sharply.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced a 16% petrol price increase.
It set the review period from April 15 to May 14, 2026.
Kenya Petrol Prices Shock
It made this decision as global crude oil prices continued rising.
Middle East supply disruptions also tightened global fuel markets further.
Kenya relies heavily on imported refined fuel from Gulf partners.
It secures supplies through government-to-government import agreements.
These partners include Saudi Aramco Trading Fujairah and Emirates National Oil Company Singapore Ltd.
Global shipping disruptions restricted supply routes and raised import costs further.
The regulator increased super petrol by KSh 28.69 per litre.
It also raised diesel by KSh 40.30 per litre.
Kerosene prices remained unchanged during this review period.
Rising Import Costs
Between February and March, landed fuel costs surged sharply.
Petrol prices increased by over 41% during this period.
Diesel climbed by nearly 69%.
Kerosene rose by more than 105%.
Super petrol landed cost rose from US$582.11 to US$823.87 per cubic metre.
The government reduced VAT from 16% to 13% for relief.
It aimed to cushion households from rising global fuel costs.
Inflation in Kenya rose slightly to 4.4% in March 2026.
It stood at 4.3% in February but stayed within target range.
Nigeria Fuel Pressure
Nigeria also faced rising fuel prices in its deregulated market.
Petrol rose from ₦799 per litre to around ₦1,200.
Transport costs increased as consumers absorbed higher fuel prices.
Analysts warned prices could reach ₦2,000 per litre.
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Finance Minister Wale Edun ruled out fuel subsidy returns.
Government officials maintained that subsidies remain financially unsustainable.
Zacch Adedeji said subsidies would have cost ₦52 trillion.
That equals 76% of Nigeria’s 2026 national budget.
From Nairobi to Lagos, global oil volatility now shapes daily life.
