Kenya has extended the temporary adjustment of sulphur limits for petrol and diesel by another six months, allowing petroleum products with up to 50 milligrams of sulphur per kilogram as the government seeks to prevent fuel shortages amid continued disruptions to global supply chains.
Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced the extension on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, following a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council.
The adjustment applies to two fuel standards: KS EAS 177:2025, which governs Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and KS EAS 158:2025, covering Automotive Gasoline, commonly known as Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).
Under the extended arrangement, both products can contain a maximum sulphur concentration of 50mg/kg. The government had previously maintained a stricter 10mg/kg limit before introducing the temporary adjustment in April 2026.
The ministry said the decision followed a technical assessment of geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and disruptions affecting international petroleum supply chains, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway is a major route for global oil shipments, making disruptions to shipping and petroleum trade a concern for countries that depend on imported fuel, including Kenya.
According to Kinyanjui, the extension is intended to widen the range of available fuel sources that meet the temporarily adjusted specifications and protect the country against potential supply shortages.
The government said the measure was necessary to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and safeguard economic stability as international supply conditions remain uncertain.
However, the adjustment is temporary and does not represent a permanent revision of Kenya's fuel quality standards. The ministry said the arrangement would be reviewed at the end of the six-month period or earlier if global petroleum supply conditions improve.
The extension gives fuel importers additional flexibility when sourcing petroleum products from international markets. It also places renewed attention on the balance between securing adequate fuel supplies and maintaining environmental and public health standards.
The government has not indicated whether the measure will affect pump prices, which are determined separately through the monthly pricing process overseen by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
