EPRA lowers fuel prices slightly after VAT cut to 8 percent amid public uproar
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has announced a small reduction in the prices of petrol and diesel following a further cut in the value-added tax on petroleum products.
Effective from Thursday, April 16 to May 14, 2026, super petrol in Nairobi will now retail at 197.60 shillings per litre, down by 9.37 shillings. Diesel has decreased by 10.21 shillings to 196.63 shillings per litre. The price of kerosene remains unchanged at 152.78 shillings per litre in the capital. Similar reductions apply in other towns, with slightly lower figures in Mombasa.
This adjustment comes just one day after the regulator had announced sharp increases of nearly 29 shillings for petrol and over 40 shillings for diesel. The quick revision follows a directive from the National Treasury to lower the VAT rate on fuel from 13 percent to 8 percent. Acting EPRA Director General Dr Joseph Oketch explained that the new tax rate has allowed for the recalculation of maximum retail prices. The government had earlier reduced VAT from 16 percent to 13 percent and released 6.2 billion shillings from the Petroleum Development Levy to help cushion consumers, but public anger over the initial hike prompted this additional step.
EPRA announced the latest VAT reduction as a measure to ease the burden on Kenyans facing high living costs. The move is expected to last for the next three months. Despite the slight relief at the pump, many people remain frustrated because the prices are still much higher than they were before the April review. Social media has been filled with complaints, old video clips of election promises, and questions about why fuel costs continue to rise even with government interventions.
For ordinary citizens, the small drop offers limited comfort after the heavy increase that pushed diesel above 200 shillings and triggered higher matatu fares. Transport operators and businesses had already begun passing on the extra costs, affecting the price of goods and daily travel. While the latest change provides some breathing room, many Kenyans hope for more lasting solutions to stabilise fuel prices and protect household budgets from global market swings and currency pressures. The regulator says it will continue to monitor the situation closely in the coming weeks.
