Mandera has the highest maximum pump prices among the towns listed in the latest Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) schedule, with diesel reaching Ksh240.04 per litre and petrol Ksh234.68.
The prices take effect from September 15 to October 14, 2026, according to the EPRA notice.
Kerosene is also the most expensive in Mandera among the towns shown, at Ksh213.56 per litre, putting the northeastern border town at the top of the price list for all three products.
The figures highlight a wide gap in the cost of fuel between Kenya’s remote northern markets and Mombasa, where the prices are considerably lower.
In Mombasa, EPRA’s maximum price for petrol is Ksh210.87 per litre, compared with Ksh234.68 in Mandera. That is a difference of Ksh23.81 per litre.
For diesel, the gap is even wider. Mandera’s maximum price of Ksh240.04 is Ksh25.46 higher than Mombasa’s Ksh214.58.
Kerosene shows a similar difference, with Mandera at Ksh213.56 per litre against Ksh188.09 in Mombasa, a gap of Ksh25.47.
For a motorist buying 50 litres of petrol, the difference between the two locations amounts to Ksh1,190.50. The same quantity would cost a maximum of Ksh11,734 in Mandera, compared with Ksh10,543.50 in Mombasa.
Northern Kenya bears the highest prices
Mandera is not the only northern market near the top of the EPRA schedule.
In Elwak, petrol is capped at Ksh230.94 per litre, while diesel costs a maximum of Ksh236.02 and kerosene Ksh209.53.
In Marsabit County, Moyale records petrol at Ksh228.87, diesel at Ksh233.80 and kerosene at Ksh207.32.
Wajir has a maximum petrol price of Ksh228.60 and diesel price of Ksh233.51. In Tarbaj, petrol is capped at Ksh228.36 and diesel at Ksh233.24.
Other high-priced locations in the schedule include North Horr, Sololo, Loyangalani, Kalacha and Turbi, all in northern Kenya.
The distribution of prices shows a clear geographical pattern, with several remote northern markets recording higher maximum pump prices than the coastal market of Mombasa.
Why are prices higher in remote markets?
The difference does not mean that the fuel itself is a different or more expensive product in Mandera. EPRA’s regulated maximum pump prices vary by location, reflecting the costs involved in supplying different markets, including transportation and distribution.
EPRA publishes maximum retail prices for petroleum products by location, with the applicable ceilings intended to protect consumers from prices above the regulated maximum.
The September 15–October 14 schedule therefore puts Mandera at the top of the fuel-price ladder among the towns listed in the notice, with motorists facing a maximum of Ksh240.04 per litre for diesel.
For consumers in the far northeast, the comparison with Mombasa shows the financial impact of location: filling a 50-litre petrol tank can cost more than Ksh1,190 extra at the Mandera maximum price.
