The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has called for an independent audit of the country’s petroleum pricing and importation systems following the latest fuel price review, questioning the sharp increase in kerosene prices.
In a statement responding to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) review covering October 15 to November 14, 2026, the association said the adjustments raised concerns about how international fuel costs and other pricing components were reflected in local pump prices.
Under the new prices, motorists in Nairobi will pay KSh226.96 per litre of Super Petrol, KSh227.76 for Diesel and KSh219.87 for Kerosene.
The prices represent increases of KSh12.93 for Super Petrol, KSh9.90 for Diesel and KSh28.49 for Kerosene per litre.
MAK said kerosene consumers had been disproportionately affected, noting that the product’s landed cost rose by 9.41 per cent, compared with 11.81 per cent for Super Petrol and 11.32 per cent for Diesel.
Despite the lower increase in landed cost, the association said the retail price of kerosene had risen by 14.89 per cent. Super Petrol increased by 6.04 per cent, while Diesel went up by 4.54 per cent.
The association acknowledged that landed costs were only one component of pump pricing, which also includes taxes, levies, freight, insurance, margins and other adjustments. However, it called on EPRA to publish a product-by-product breakdown explaining how the latest prices were calculated.
MAK also challenged the reported justification that raising kerosene prices would reduce the price gap between the product and automotive fuels, thereby discouraging fuel adulteration.
It argued that the problem should instead be addressed through stronger enforcement, petroleum quality testing and prosecution of offenders, rather than imposing higher costs on households that depend on kerosene.
Beyond the latest review, the association renewed its criticism of the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) petroleum importation arrangement, questioning whether it had delivered measurable savings to consumers.
It called for an independent audit comparing the costs of the arrangement with those of competitive international procurement, including supplier premiums, financing costs, freight charges and exposure to foreign exchange fluctuations.
The association further demanded greater transparency on how changes in international oil prices translate into local pump prices, arguing that consumers should be able to establish when falling global costs result in lower prices at the pump.
MAK warned that the latest increases would also raise operating costs for commercial transporters and public service vehicle operators, with possible knock-on effects on the prices of goods and transport fares.
According to the association’s calculations, a heavy commercial vehicle consuming 400 litres of Diesel would incur an additional KSh3,960 under the latest adjustment. A fleet of 20 vehicles covering comparable journeys would face an extra KSh79,200 in fuel expenditure.
The association said transport operators working under existing freight contracts might struggle to immediately transfer the additional costs to their clients. Public transport operators, meanwhile, could be forced to absorb the increases or consider raising fares.
MAK urged EPRA to release detailed pricing worksheets, explain stabilisation adjustments, disclose the financial position of the Petroleum Development Levy Fund and account for the benefits delivered by the G-to-G arrangement.
It also called on Parliament, the Auditor-General and the Competition Authority of Kenya to investigate the petroleum procurement and pricing framework.
The association said it would consider lawful public mobilisation, including peaceful demonstrations, if its concerns were not addressed.
MAK maintained that motorists were not demanding free fuel but a pricing system grounded in transparency, accountability and genuine competition.
