Kenya has extended its temporary relaxation of fuel quality standards for another six months, allowing petrol and diesel imports with higher sulphur content as the government seeks to protect domestic supplies from continued disruptions in international oil markets.
The decision, announced on November 11 by Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, retains the maximum permitted sulphur content at 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg), up from the stricter 10mg/kg standard introduced in August 2025.
The extension applies to automotive gas oil (diesel) under KS EAS 177:2025 and premium motor spirit (petrol) under KS EAS 158:2025.
According to Kinyanjui, the decision follows continued geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and disruptions affecting international petroleum supply chains, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor for global oil trade.
“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,” Kinyanjui said.
The government says the higher sulphur threshold will widen Kenya’s pool of potential fuel suppliers at a time when securing petroleum products that meet the country’s stricter specifications has become increasingly difficult.
“This is a temporary measure intended to maintain uninterrupted fuel availability and protect economic stability,” the Cabinet Secretary added.
Why sulphur content matters
Sulphur occurs naturally in crude oil and can remain in refined petroleum products. Its concentration is an important measure of fuel quality because burning sulphur-containing fuel releases sulphur dioxide (SO₂), a harmful air pollutant.
When inhaled, sulphur dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate asthma and worsen existing lung and heart conditions. It can also contribute to the formation of fine particulate pollution, which poses additional health risks.
Sulphur emissions also have environmental consequences. In the atmosphere, sulphur dioxide can react with water and other compounds to form acids, contributing to acid rain that damages vegetation, soils, water bodies and infrastructure.
There are also implications for vehicle owners. Excessive sulphur in fuel can interfere with modern exhaust-treatment systems, including catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters, reducing their effectiveness and potentially increasing maintenance costs.
This explains why countries have increasingly moved towards ultra-low-sulphur fuels. Lower sulphur content reduces harmful emissions and allows modern vehicle emission-control technologies to operate more effectively.
A reversal of Kenya’s cleaner-fuel standards
Kenya’s decision effectively extends a temporary return to the 50mg/kg threshold after the country lowered the permitted sulphur content to 10mg/kg in August 2025.
The initial relaxation was introduced in April 2026 following difficulties sourcing fuel that met the stricter specifications amid disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.
The government argues that securing adequate fuel supplies must take priority during the current international supply uncertainty.
However, the extension raises questions about how Kenya will balance energy security with its longer-term environmental and public health objectives.
For an economy heavily dependent on imported petroleum, disruptions to international supply routes can quickly affect transport, manufacturing, agriculture and the cost of living.
The six-month extension gives importers additional sourcing flexibility, but it also means Kenya will have to wait longer before fully restoring its stricter fuel-quality requirements.
The government says the measure will be reviewed at the end of the six-month period, or earlier if international supply conditions improve.
The bigger challenge for Kenya is ensuring that the search for reliable and affordable fuel does not come at the expense of public health, vehicle efficiency and environmental protection.