Editor's Review

The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has extended the temporary adjustment of sulphur limits for petrol and diesel by a further six months.

The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has extended the temporary adjustment of sulphur limits for petrol and diesel by a further six months.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 11, Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the extension follows a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council.

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"The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, following a request from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and a recommendation by the National Standards Council, has extended for a further six months the temporary adjustment of the sulphur limit for petrol and diesel," the statement read.

According to the Ministry, under the extension, the government approved a maximum sulphur limit of 50mg/kg for both automotive gas oil (diesel) and automotive gasoline (premium motor spirit).

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The adjustment applies to KS EAS 177:2025-Automotive Gas Oil and KS EAS 158:2025-Automotive Gasoline - Premium Motor Spirit.

The Ministry attributed the decision to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and disruptions affecting global petroleum supply chains, including the Strait of Hormuz.

"The decision follows a technical assessment and monitoring of the continuing geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and related disruptions affecting global petroleum supply chains, including the Strait of Hormuz. The extension is intended to widen available sources of compliant fuel and safeguard Kenya against supply shortages," the statement added.

File image of a Rubis fuel station

The Ministry maintained that the adjustment was temporary and intended to ensure continued fuel availability while protecting the country's economic stability.

"This is a temporary measure intended to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and protect economic stability. It will be reviewed at the end of the six-month period or earlier should global supply conditions improve," the statement further read.

This comes a week after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced plans to introduce a new online clearance system for coal, petroleum and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) consignments entering and leaving Kenya through border points.

In a notice on Friday, October 30, EPRA said it had partnered with the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) to begin onboarding its services onto the platform as part of efforts to improve efficiency and transparency with existing laws governing the energy and petroleum sector.

EPRA explained that the proposed system would be used to process and clear consignments electronically at border points, in line with a Cabinet directive requiring all government services to be integrated into the national electronic platform.

"The Authority is proposing to introduce the KNESWS for the online clearance and processing of Coal, Petroleum and LPG consignments at border points. The proposed rollout is consistent with the Cabinet directive that all Government services should be onboarded onto the KNESWS," the notice added.

Under the proposed changes, licensing and permitting processes will also be transitioned to the platform, with stakeholders required to submit journey plans electronically.

EPRA officers will use the integrated system to verify the validity of licences issued to importers, exporters, transporters and drivers in accordance with the Petroleum Act, Cap 308, and its subsidiary legislation.

The Authority advised affected businesses and individuals to ensure their licences and other compliance documents were valid and up to date ahead of the implementation.

EPRA said it would first conduct sensitisation forums across different regions to familiarise stakeholders with the new requirements, procedures and timelines before announcing the mandatory implementation date.

"Pursuant to the rollout, the Authority intends to undertake stakeholder sensitization forums in the regions to inform licensees, importers, exporters, transporters and other stakeholders about the proposed online clearance process, including the applicable procedures, requirements and timelines," the notice further read.

The forums will also allow stakeholders to seek clarification and provide feedback before the system becomes mandatory.