Hello and welcome to the Money Weekly Newsletter, where we cover the warning by petrol station owners about fuel prices in the August-September cycle.

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Petrol Stations' Warning on Fuel Prices

Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK) Chairman Martin Chomba has warned motorists and businesses to prepare for a possible increase in fuel prices when the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announces the August–September review next week. 

Chomba said Kenya's government-to-government fuel import arrangement may cushion consumers temporarily, but sustained increases in global crude oil prices and shipping costs will inevitably be reflected at local pumps. 

He noted that commercial vessels are increasingly avoiding the Red Sea because of security risks, forcing longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, which have raised freight charges, insurance premiums and delivery costs. 

Chomba warned that higher fuel prices would ripple through the economy by increasing transport, manufacturing and logistics costs, eventually pushing up the prices of food and other essential goods.

He urged the government to strengthen strategic petroleum reserves, diversify fuel import sources and accelerate investments in renewable energy to reduce Kenya's exposure to global supply shocks. 

Currently, in Nairobi, a litre of Super Petrol retails at Ksh214.03 per litre while a litre of Diesel retails at Ksh222.86 per litre. 

Notably, the Ministry of Energy had on July 14 cautioned that the renewed tensions in the Middle East would push up global oil prices, with the impact expected to be reflected in future fuel pricing cycles. 

“With the restart of the Middle East crisis, international benchmarks have now begun to climb again, and this renewed pressure will be reflected in the pricing cycles that follow,” the Ministry noted in its statement then.

“This Ministry will continue to work closely with the industry to keep supply consistent and uninterrupted, to defend the fixed terms of our Government-to-Government arrangement, and to keep Kenyans fully and openly informed as the picture continues to develop.”

Here is a quick recap of the top news stories for the week:

• Kenya is in talks to secure Ksh58 billion ($450 million) in emergency funding from the World Bank to cushion the economy against the impact of the Iran conflict and potential El Niño rains. The financing would come through the World Bank's Contingent Emergency Response Project, which allows countries to redirect funds from existing projects during eligible crises. The funds are expected by October, subject to approval. The World Bank has warned Kenya's economic growth could slow to 4.3% in 2026 due to rising inflation risks, disrupted tea exports, weaker remittances and the expected El Niño weather pattern. 

• Graduates who secure formal employment will be required to declare their university loan status to employers to facilitate monthly loan deductions under the proposed University Funding Bill. The Bill seeks to replace government scholarships with loans that would fully finance university and college education. Graduates joining the informal sector would instead sign repayment agreements with the Higher Education Loans Authority (HELA). Loan deductions will be capped at 25% of earnings, while HELA will be granted powers to recover unpaid loans through civil proceedings. The Bill is currently before the National Assembly's Education Committee. 

• Land prices fell in seven Nairobi satellite towns during the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest HassConsult Property Price Index. Ngong recorded the sharpest decline, with an acre dropping 2.5% to Ksh34.8 million. Limuru fell 0.8% to Ksh27.2 million, Kiambu 0.6% to Ksh48.6 million, while Syokimau and Tigoni each declined 0.3% to Ksh39.4 million and Ksh34.8 million, respectively. Athi River posted a 0.2% drop to Ksh20.7 million, while Kitengela recorded the smallest decline of 0.1%, with an acre retailing at Ksh18.8 million. 

• Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu and Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o have raised concerns over Ksh7.7 billion paid in commitment fees on loans that remained unused between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years. They attributed the costs to delayed project implementation, weak planning and poor debt management. The National Assembly's Public Debt and Privatisation Committee has urged the National Treasury to cancel idle loan facilities and ensure projects are ready before borrowing.

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CBK Reopens 3 Tax-Free Bonds; Here's How to Invest

CBK has reopened three tax-free infrastructure bonds offering returns of up to 12.737%.

Bidding is open until August 12 as the government looks to raise Ksh150 billion, with interest paid every six months. The bonds have different maturity periods, and all come with a 50% amortisation structure, meaning part of your principal is repaid before maturity.

You can invest through the DhowCSD platform.

Watch the video to learn more.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Money Weekly!

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