President William Ruto’s administration has moved to ease the burden of high fuel costs, with new prices reflecting a reduction following a revision of Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products.
In a fresh directive effected through Legal Notice No. 70 of April 15, 2026, the National Treasury reduced VAT on fuel from 13% to 8% , prompting the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to revise pump prices downward.
According to the EPRA addendum, the new prices, effective from April 16 to May 14, 2026, will see Super Petrol and Diesel retail prices decrease by KSh 9.37 and KSh 10.21 per litre respectively, while kerosene prices remain unchanged.
In Nairobi, motorists will now pay Ksh 197.60 per litre for Super Petrol, Ksh 196.63 for Diesel and Ksh 152.78 for Kerosene under the revised pricing structure.
The latest adjustment comes just days after a sharp increase in fuel prices triggered public outrage, with consumers, transport operators, and businesses raising concerns over the rising cost of living.
EPRA stated that the revised prices take into account the reduced VAT rate, effectively cushioning consumers who had been grappling with the impact of global fuel price volatility.
Despite the reduction, kerosene prices were left unchanged, although the subsidy on the product has been adjusted downward from Ksh 108.10 to Ksh 96.56 per litre.
The government’s intervention signals a shift following mounting public pressure over the cost of fuel, which had already begun triggering fare hikes and pushing up the prices of goods and services across the country.
While the reduction offers temporary relief, the pricing adjustments continue to reflect underlying global market forces, with authorities indicating that fuel costs remain sensitive to international oil price fluctuations.
The revised prices are expected to influence transport costs and inflation trends in the coming weeks, as consumers assess whether the reduction will translate into lower fares and commodity prices.
