Kenyans could face further fuel price increases if conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global petroleum supplies, new Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director-General, Edward Mwirigi, has warned.
Mwirigi spoke before the Special Funds Accounts Committee on Thursday, October 15, where he attributed the latest fuel price increase announced on Wednesday, October 14, to disruptions in supply from the Gulf region.
The pump prices announced on October 14 marked one of the sharpest increases in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices in 2026. In Nairobi, a litre of petrol will retail at Ksh226.96, diesel at Ksh227.76 and kerosene at Ksh219.87.
The EPRA DG explained that attacks on fuel infrastructure and vessels had forced importers to seek alternative sources, including Singapore, where petroleum products were reportedly more expensive. This, according to Mwirigi, had a ripple effect on the overall pump prices.
EPRA Director General Edward Mwirigi Kinyua during the EPRA event on October 14.
Photo
EPRA
Despite the sharp increase in prices, Mwirigi cautioned that Kenyans could potentially be forced to dig deeper into their pockets for fuel in the coming months if the situation in the Middle East continued to deteriorate.
During the committee session, MPs also questioned EPRA over the decision to raise prices despite President William Ruto's assurances back in May 2026 when the Head of State claimed pump prices would remain stabilised.
Lawmakers also sought clarification on whether the public had been informed about the supply disruptions, including reports that two fuel vessels had been bombed.
Mwirigi told the committee that Saudi vessels had been targeted, insisting that Kenya's fuel prices remained competitive compared with those of neighbouring countries, even as global supply challenges put pressure on import costs.
A day earlier, the EPRA boss described September as 'the worst month' for pump prices, owing to a raft of factors largely revolving around the situation in the Middle East.
“September has been the worst month ever since this war broke out. Super petrol has reached USD 1,300 per metric tonne from the initial USD $600 per metric tonne," EPRA Director General Engineer Edward Mwirigi Kinyua told the press on Wednesday, October 14.
In what is a slight relief for Kenyans, the National Assembly has since passed a Bill seeking to maintain the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate at 8 per cent for another three months.
The Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, seeks to retain the reduced rate on petrol, diesel and kerosene instead of reverting to the standard VAT rate of 16 per cent.
As far as pump prices are concerned, stakeholders, including matatu owners, have signalled a possible hike in fares by up to 10 per cent after the latest EPRA review.
Matatus during rush hour at the Fig Tree bus stop along Thika Super Highway, November 12, 2019.
Kenyans.co.ke