Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced on Wednesday, November 11, that the country would maintain a maximum sulphur limit of 50 milligrams per kilogram (50mg/kg) for both petrol and diesel between November 2026 and April 2027.
The decision means the government will retain the temporary fuel standards introduced in April 2026, when the permissible sulphur content was raised from the previous 10mg/kg limit.
Kinyanjui said the extension followed a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and recommendations by the National Standards Council after an assessment of international petroleum supply conditions.
He attributed the decision to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions affecting global fuel supply chains, particularly around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
According to the CS, maintaining the adjusted standards would allow Kenya to access fuel from a wider range of international suppliers and reduce the risk of shortages.
He explained that the measure was temporary and would be reviewed after six months or earlier if international supply conditions improved.
The initial adjustment was introduced on April 30, 2026, following concerns from petroleum industry players who reported difficulties sourcing fuel that met Kenya's stricter sulphur requirements.
Meanwhile, the extension comes as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) prepares to announce new pump prices for the November 15 to December 14 pricing period.
The upcoming review has attracted attention after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi suggested that the government could use the fuel stabilisation fund to reduce the burden of high petroleum prices on consumers.
Motorists are therefore awaiting EPRA's announcement to establish whether the proposed intervention will translate into lower prices at petrol stations.
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/129309-trade-cs-extends-50mg-sulphur-limit-petrol-and-diesel
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