Following the escalating conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent crisis in the global fuel supply chain, Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and Investments has announced a temporary reduction in the country’s fuel quality standards. This decision was made to prevent a potential national fuel shortage and to maintain economic stability.
In a statement released on Thursday, April 30, 2026, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui noted that strict limits previously placed on sulphur content in fuel will be relaxed for the next six months.
Consequently, the maximum allowable sulphur level for automotive gasoil and premium motor spirit has been raised to 50\text{mg/kg}. Kenya had previously adhered to a standard prohibiting sulphur levels above 10\text{mg/kg} under regulations KS EAS 158:2025 and KS EAS 177:2025, which aimed to reduce air pollution and extend vehicle engine life. However, current global realities have made it extremely difficult to source fuel meeting these strict criteria, forcing the government to revert to previous standards.
The Minister indicated that this temporary adjustment followed a request from petroleum sector stakeholders who highlighted the severe challenges in importing compliant fuel, which threatened a nationwide supply shutdown.
Kinyanjui emphasized that the measure is intended to ensure continued availability and shield the economy from global market distortions. The decision followed extensive consultations with technical experts from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Standards Council.
Despite the necessity of this move to avoid a shortage, technical experts have raised concerns regarding potential negative impacts. High sulphur content is known to increase harmful emissions, contributing to environmental pollution and health issues. Furthermore, sulphur can create acidic compounds during combustion that cause engine corrosion and rapid oil degradation.
Reports also suggest that higher sulphur levels reduce combustion efficiency, potentially leading to increased fuel consumption for motorists.
Economic analysts describe the government’s action as choosing the “lesser of two evils.” Rather than maintaining quality standards at the cost of a total supply collapse, lowering the requirements allows trade and transport to continue.
