The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) released its latest monthly pricing review on Sunday, sparking widespread frustration across the country. Effective from 15th June 2026, the retail price of Super Petrol in Nairobi decreased by a mere KSh 0.22 per litre.
While Diesel saw a more significant reduction of KSh 10.00 per litre, the marginal cut for petrol has left many motorists feeling insulted. Kerosene prices remain unchanged for the next 30 days.
New Pump Prices
Under the new review, which runs until 14th July 2026, motorists in Nairobi will pay KSh 214.03 for Super Petrol. Diesel will retail at KSh 222.86, while Kerosene stays at KSh 191.38. EPRA stated the changes were calculated in accordance with the Petroleum Act 2019.
However, the public response has been swift and sharp. On social media, the 22-cent reduction has been mocked as "insignificant" given the high cost of living.
Disappointment Over Presidential Promises
Many Kenyans expressed confusion and anger, pointing to previous statements from the government. Some users suggested they were expecting a KSh 10 reduction across all fuel types, similar to the drop seen in Diesel prices.
@Malingu_F remarked: "The president said that the reduction shall be Ksh. 10, but yours is only 0.22 surely! Mnapenda kubeba Wakenya mafala, and for how long will this be the normal, lying?”
Similarly, @Pettikim criticised the regulator's methods, stating: "This is nonsense because you do as instructed by the president. There's no credible formula you use, just 'political mathematics'. Pres. Ruto said more than 20 days ago that diesel will reduce by Kes10!"
Questions Over Board Allowances
The cost of reaching this pricing decision has also come under fire. @CyrusTM shared a list of authorized meeting allowances for EPRA board members. The post noted that the Chairperson can earn KSh 12,000 per sitting, with members receiving KSh 8,000.
"EPRA board members earn the following allowances to sit in a meeting to discuss the reduction of petrol prices for sh. 0.22," the post read.
Other citizens questioned the very need for the agency. User @_amozon asked: "Why do you exist as a government agency, gobbling up copious amounts of public money, only to inform us what a politician decided would be the pump prices weeks ago?"
Some commentators pointed to international shifts as a reason for deeper cuts. @Africanacityy noted that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened following previous regional conflicts.
"Now that the Strait of Hormuz is open to everyone again, why not reduce fuel prices back to where they were before the Iran war?"
This user highlighted that petrol was previously KSh 178.28 per litre, significantly lower than the current KSh 214.03.
For most Kenyans, the consensus remains one of disbelief. @mukuna_jane summed up the mood simply: "Kenya is a joke. You and Yani 0.22ksh are not even ashamed of yourselves.”
