By the 254.ke Newsroom.
Independent petrol station owners have told their members to stop buying fuel from suppliers charging above the wholesale prices set by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), warning that the standoff could leave independent stations with empty tanks. The Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK) and the Kenya Independent Petroleum Dealers Association (KIPEDA) issued the joint statement on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
The dealers allege that oil marketing companies (OMCs) have been selling to them above the gazetted maximum since the current pricing cycle began on October 15. EPRA and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum had not publicly responded to the claims when reports were published on October 28. The allegations are the associations’ own and have not been independently verified.
What are the dealers alleging?
According to reports by Kenyans.co.ke and Nairobi News, the associations say OMCs are selling to independent outlets at rates higher than the maximum wholesale prices EPRA published on October 14. They say the problem began a day after the announcement and has continued for about 12 days despite repeated complaints to the regulator and the ministry.
Independent stations, which buy from OMCs rather than being supplied under the big brands’ own networks, say they cannot buy fuel at prices that let them sell within the retail caps and still cover costs. The associations say operators are being forced to choose between closing and trading at a heavy loss.
What are the wholesale and pump price caps?
The caps below apply in Nairobi for the October 15 to November 14, 2026 cycle, as reported by both outlets.
| Product | Maximum wholesale price (per litre) | Maximum pump price (per litre) |
|---|---|---|
| Super petrol | Sh211.80 | Sh226.96 |
| Diesel | Sh212.60 | Not confirmed (outlets differ) |
| Kerosene | Sh204.79 | Sh219.87 |
The gap between the wholesale cap and the pump cap for super petrol is Sh15.16 a litre, which has to cover a dealer’s transport, staff, rent, losses and profit. If a dealer pays more than the wholesale cap but cannot charge above the pump cap, that margin shrinks fast. That is the squeeze the associations describe.
What are the dealers demanding?
POAK and KIPEDA want EPRA and the State Department for Petroleum to enforce the gazetted prices and sanction any OMC found breaking them. They have advised independent dealers nationwide to suspend purchases from suppliers charging above the limits, and warned of “critical product stock-outs” at independent outlets if nothing changes. The reports say the associations remain willing to talk to EPRA and the ministry. No formal deadline for the ultimatum was stated.
Will there be a fuel shortage?
Not necessarily, and not everywhere. The threat applies to independent stations that choose to stop buying, not to the OMCs’ own retail networks. The effect on motorists would depend on how many independent dealers follow the advice and for how long. Stations that run dry would likely be in places where independents are the main sellers. Motorists should expect no change to the legal pump caps while the cycle runs to November 14.
How did we get here?
Pump prices rose on October 15 after the government suspended the fuel price stabilisation mechanism that had cushioned motorists from rising international costs. Our breakdown of the October 15 to November 14 fuel prices sets out what changed for petrol, diesel and kerosene. EPRA has also acted against retailers before: see our earlier report on how EPRA shut down 13 petrol stations for fuel violations. Official price notices are published on the EPRA website.
Frequently asked questions
Who are POAK and KIPEDA?
The Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya and the Kenya Independent Petroleum Dealers Association represent independent fuel station owners, as opposed to stations owned or branded by the large oil marketing companies.
Are fuel prices going up again?
No change is announced. The current EPRA caps run from October 15 to November 14, 2026, and the next review is due on November 14.
What is the maximum wholesale price of petrol?
Sh211.80 a litre for super petrol in Nairobi in the current cycle, with a pump cap of Sh226.96.
What has EPRA said?
As of October 28, 2026, neither EPRA nor the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum had responded publicly to the dealers’ allegations, according to the reports reviewed. This article will be updated if they do.
