The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry announced that the temporary adjustment allowing up to 50 mg/kg sulphur in imported petrol and diesel will remain in force for an additional six months.

The extension follows a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council to keep the maximum sulphur level at 50 mg/kg for both KS EAS 177:2025 Automotive Gas Oil and KS EAS 158:2025‑Automotive Gasoline Premium Motor Spirit.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the decision is based on a technical assessment of ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and related disruptions to global petroleum supply chains, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Kinyanjui explained that the waiver is intended to broaden the pool of compliant fuel sources and protect Kenya from potential shortages, describing it as a temporary measure to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and economic stability.

The waiver will be reviewed at the end of the six‑month period, or earlier if global supply conditions improve, according to the cabinet secretary.

The original waiver was introduced on 30 April 2026 after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, which disrupted fuel supply routes and made it difficult for Kenya to source fuel meeting the previous standard.