Ministry of Trade lowers fuel quality standards for 6 months over supply crisis
Ministry of Trade lowers fuel quality standards for 6 months over supply crisis
The Ministry of Trade and Investments has announced a temporary adjustment to fuel standards due to supply disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
In a statement on Thursday, April 30, 2026, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui announced that fuel sulphur limits have been temporarily set at 50mg/kg for automotive gasoil and premium motor spirit.
According to the CS, this measure is effective for the next six months to ensure fuel availability amid concerns over the supply of the critical product in the country.
“The Ministry of Trade has approved a temporary waiver of the sulphur parameter to the maximum limit of 50mg/kg for automotive gasoil and premium motor spirit as per the previous fuel standards for a period of 6 months,” said Kinyanjui.
“This measure is temporary and intended to ensure continued fuel availability and sustain economic stability during the current period of global supply disruption.”
The move followed a request from stakeholders in the petroleum sector who raised concerns over difficulties in sourcing fuel that meets Kenya’s current strict compliance levels.
According to the CS, consultations were held with technical experts as well as regulatory bodies, including the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Standards Council.
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In his presser, Kinyanjui noted that the discussions informed a comprehensive technical review that ultimately guided the temporary policy shift.
“It is against this backdrop, and in full consideration of the need to safeguard the welfare of Kenyan consumers, that the request was approved,” CS Kinyanjui revealed.
Before the adjustments in the quality of the local fuel, the government had maintained stricter rules on the level of sulphur in fuel products being sold in the country.
The previous normal sulphur limits stood at 10mg/kg, which are part of the updated regulations KS EAS 158:2025 for petrol and KS EAS 177:2025 for diesel.
However, while this comes as a reprieve for the country amidst fuel shortage, high sulphur levels in fuel often result in increased harmful emissions and potential long-term damage to a vehicle’s engine.
Reports indicate that fuels with higher sulphur tend to burn less efficiently, reducing engine performance and potentially increasing fuel consumption.
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