Gov't says unauthorised super petrol imports would've raised prices by Ksh.14

In a press release dated April 7, 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said Kenya entered into master framework agreements on March 10, 2023 for the supply of super petrol, diesel and jet fuel/kerosene under a G-to-G arrangement with Aramco Trading, Fujairah FZE, ADNOC Global Trading Limited and Emirates National Oil Company (Singapore) Private Limited, anchored in the Petroleum (Importation) Regulations, 2023.

The ministry said the arrangement has supported steady supply of refined products locally and regionally, and helped protect foreign exchange stability, adding that it has also enhanced price stability and the integrity of product quality along the supply chain.

However, it said a 60,000-metric-tonne consignment of super petrol was recently imported into the country “in contravention of the procedures” set out under the G-to-G contractual framework with international suppliers.

The ministry said the shipment was priced at Ksh198,000 per metric tonne, compared to Ksh140,000 per metric tonne under the G-to-G arrangement — an increase of Ksh58,000 per metric tonne — which it said would have resulted in an approximate rise of Ksh14 per litre in pump prices on that consignment alone.

“Consequently, the Government, through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, and in addition to the measures already undertaken, has now directed that,” the statement read, before outlining actions to be taken.

The ministry said One Petroleum Ltd, which it said imported the product and invoiced oil marketing companies, was directed to immediately withdraw all invoices and raise credit notes.

It further directed that oil marketing companies should neither pay the invoices nor uplift product from the consignment, and that One Petroleum should exit the product out of Kenya as soon as possible.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was also directed to subsequently exclude the product from the monthly computation of petroleum product costs.

The government said it would remain vigilant to ensure no individual, company or stakeholder engages in artificial shortages or unjustified price increases, adding that the public will continue to be updated on fuel prices in the usual manner.