In the wake of EPRA's sharp fuel price increases announced on April 14—with diesel up Sh40 to Sh206 per litre and petrol to Sh206—Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) and Truck Owners Association (TAK) have raised freight costs by 14% and 30% respectively, set to drive up nationwide goods prices.
Following the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)'s fuel price hike on Tuesday evening, April 14, 2026, key trucking bodies have adjusted rates upward. The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA), representing over 6,000 trucks, implemented a 14% freight cost increase effective immediately.
KTA Chairman Newton Wang’oo highlighted that fuel constitutes 55% of transport costs. 'Fuel is the main cost in road freight transport, contributing nearly 55% of all business costs. This translates to a 13 to 14% overall increase in freight costs,' he stated.
The larger Truck Owners Association (TAK), with 20,000 members operating over 50,000 trucks, mandated a 30% hike. TAK Chairman Raphael Lamuya and Secretary General Denny Kilia addressed journalists in Syokimau, Machakos County, on Wednesday.
Lamuya raised alarms over recent fuel shortages and questioned distribution practices: 'We were assured the country had sufficient fuel reserves but now witness a sudden price hike.' Kilia called for a one-year strategic fuel reserve to mitigate future disruptions.
These adjustments are expected to elevate goods prices across Kenya, particularly imports from Mombasa port.
