The Kenyan government has extended the temporary adjustment of sulphur limits in petrol and diesel for another six months, citing uncertainty in the Middle East and disruptions to global petroleum supply chains.
The extension allows a maximum sulphur content of 50 milligrams per kilogram (50mg/kg) in both petrol and diesel under the applicable East African fuel standards.
Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced the decision on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, following a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council.
In a press statement, the ministry said the decision followed a technical assessment and monitoring of geopolitical developments in the Middle East, which have continued to affect international petroleum supply chains.
The government specifically cited disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes.
“The extension is intended to widen available sources of compliant fuel and safeguard Kenya against supply shortages,” the ministry stated.
Why Kenya has extended the fuel sulphur limit
The extension is intended to give Kenya greater flexibility in sourcing fuel that meets the temporarily adjusted specifications as international supply conditions remain uncertain.
The Strait of Hormuz is particularly important to global energy markets because disruptions along the route can affect oil shipments, international supply availability and petroleum market stability.
Kenya’s government says the temporary adjustment is necessary to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and protect the economy from potential supply disruptions.
“This is a temporary measure intended to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and protect economic stability,” the ministry said.
Under the extended arrangement, petrol and diesel will be subject to a maximum permitted sulphur content of 50mg/kg.
The adjustment applies to two fuel standards:
Sulphur content is an important fuel-quality parameter. Higher sulphur levels can contribute to air pollution and increase sulphur-related emissions from vehicle exhausts.
The 50mg/kg threshold therefore defines the maximum sulphur content permitted under the temporary adjustment. It does not mean that all fuel supplied to Kenya will necessarily contain that amount of sulphur.
How long will the temporary fuel adjustment last?
The government has approved the extension for a further six months.
However, the arrangement could be reviewed before that period expires if international petroleum supply conditions improve.
The ministry said the decision would be reviewed “at the end of the six-month period or earlier should global supply conditions improve.”
This means the government will continue monitoring international developments before determining whether the temporary adjustment should remain in place.
Will the extension affect EPRA petrol and diesel prices?
The announcement does not introduce a new petrol or diesel pump-price adjustment.
The decision concerns the permitted sulphur content of fuel under the applicable standards, not the retail prices charged to motorists.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) remains responsible for announcing regulated monthly maximum retail petroleum prices in Kenya.
Motorists should therefore distinguish between the government’s temporary fuel-quality adjustment and EPRA’s separate monthly pricing decisions.
For now, the government says its priority is to protect the country’s petroleum supply from potential international disruptions and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability.
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