New Fuel Prices, D.T. Dobie Shuts Down, KPC Sale Stopped and Billions Made by Banks

Hello, this is Jason. Welcome to today’s edition of The Business Roundup, where we bring you the latest updates on Kenya’s dynamic business landscape. In this edition, we dive into new fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), a major corporate wind-up, and a compilation of how Kenya’s top banks are performing in a challenging economic climate.

EPRA this week released the latest maximum retail prices for petroleum products, effective from August 15 to September 14, 2025.

In the latest review, the price of Super Petrol was reduced by Ksh1 per litre, while Diesel prices remain unchanged and Kerosene prices also drop by Ksh1 per litre.

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Fuel prices drop slightly in latest EPRA review

Super Petrol will retail at Ksh185.31 per litre in Nairobi, Diesel at Ksh171.58, and Kerosene at Ksh155.58. In Mombasa, motorists will pay Ksh182.03 for Super Petrol, Ksh168.30 for Diesel, and Ksh152.29 for Kerosene.

These prices include 16% VAT, and reflect adjustments based on the Finance Act 2023, Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, and excise duties adjusted for inflation.

On the international front, EPRA reported a 0.73% drop in the average landed cost of Super Petrol—from US$628.30 to US$623.71 per cubic metre. However, the landed costs of Diesel and Kerosene increased by 3.08% and 3.20%, respectively.

D.T. Dobie Winds Up After 76 Years

Switching gears to the automotive industry, it’s the end of an era for D.T. Dobie & Company (Kenya) Ltd, which is officially being liquidated.

A High Court notice dated August 15, 2025, confirmed that the Official Receiver has been appointed as the Liquidator, following a Special Resolution passed on June 3, 2025. Creditors have until September 15, 2025, to submit claims via the Business Registration Service portal.

The liquidation comes two years after D.T. Dobie merged operationally with CFAO Motors Kenya as part of an internal reorganisation by parent company CFAO Group, fully owned by Toyota Tsusho Corporation. The merger took effect on April 1, 2023, with both companies now operating under the CFAO Motors Kenya brand.

The restructuring aligns with CFAO’s pan-African strategy, consolidating its operations under one mobility business to improve competitiveness and efficiency. CFAO now operates 36 outlets across Kenya, dealing in brands like Toyota, Yamaha, Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, and Volkswagen.

Founded in 1949, D.T. Dobie played a pivotal role in Kenya’s motor industry, notably introducing the Mercedes-Benz and Nissan brands to the market. The company’s legacy now comes to a close, marking the end of a significant chapter in Kenya’s automotive history.

Court Halts Kenya Pipeline Company Privatisation

Moving to the energy sector, the High Court of Kenya has issued a conservatory order stopping the government’s plan to privatise the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC).

The ruling, delivered by Justice Mwamuye on August 15, 2025, follows a petition filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), challenging the decision to list KPC on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE).

The petition names the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the Privatisation Authority, and other state actors as the respondents. The court barred all respondents from proceeding with the sale pending a hearing scheduled for September 5, 2025.

“Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Petitioner/Applicant’s Notice of Motion Application dated 14/08/2025, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued restraining the Respondents and the Interested Parties, jointly and severally, and whether by themselves or through their agents, servants, or any person acting under their authority, from offering for sale, allocating, disposing, transferring, or otherwise dealing with any shares of the Kenya Pipeline Company Limited pursuant to the impugned privatization plan that is the subject of the Petition herein,” read part of the ruling.

In July 2025, the Cabinet approved plans to privatise KPC as part of a broader initiative to reduce public sector inefficiencies and attract private investment. However, the legal challenge now places the process on hold, with the final decision hinging on the upcoming court proceedings.

Kenya’s top banks post strong profits in H1 2025

Finally, in the financial sector, Kenya’s top listed banks have posted multi-billion-shilling profits for the first half of 2025, despite economic headwinds.

The Kenya Times compiled performance summaries for leading banks listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), highlighting key figures in profit, asset growth, loan performance, deposits, and strategic updates.

Also Big This Week 

• The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) lowered the Central Bank Rate (CBR) by 25 basis points to 9.50 percent from 9.75 percent, marking the seventh consecutive cut in one year.

• CBK also explained why the Kenyan Shilling has not fallen for over 11 months.

• Principal Secretary of the State Department of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development, Susan Mang’eni, announced that Kenyans who initially borrowed Ksh500 from the Hustler Fund can now borrow up to Ksh150,000.
• National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi put county governors on the spot over Ksh103 billion in unpaid pension contributions.

• Ndindi Nyoro gave his two cents on why KCB and Equity Bank should merge.

• The Kenya Revenue Authority clarified tax-free gratuity payments for retirees.

• A Kenyan conservationist has gone to court to stop the launch of the Ritz-Carlton’s first safari lodge in Kenya, accusing the luxury brand of threatening one of the world’s most celebrated wildlife migration routes.
• The Nation Media Group (NMG) announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2025 (for the six months to June 30, 2025).
• Kenya has been fined $50,000 (Ksh6.5 million) for safety and security breaches during their CHAN match against Morocco at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 10, 2025.
• The Usahihi Expressway Limited issued a statement clarifying reports stating that the government of Kenya has cancelled the Usahihi Nairobi–Mombasa Expressway project.
• Royal Dutch Airline KLM featured among the top ten shareholders of Kenya Airways, according to the latest shareholder report for the year ending December 31, 2024.

Currency Trends

The Kenya Shilling remained stable against major international and regional currencies during the week ending August 14, 2025. It exchanged at Ksh129.2400 per U.S. dollar on August 15, the same as on August 7.

Against other major currencies, the shilling traded at:

• Sterling Pound – Ksh175.0620
• Euro – Ksh150.6938
• South African Rand – 7.3485
• Japanese Yen (100 units) – Ksh87.8168

Against regional currencies, the shilling exchanged at:

• • Ugandan Shilling – Ksh27.5302
  • Tanzanian Shilling – Ksh20.2724
  • Rwandan Franc – Ksh11.2040

Global trends

According to CBK, inflation concerns persisted during the week ending August 14, 2025, as July data for the U.S. showed headline inflation was 2.7 percent year-on-year, while core inflation increased to 3.1 percent, driven primarily by rising costs for shelter, healthcare services, and airline fares, partially offset by lower gasoline prices.

International oil prices eased slightly during the week, with Murban crude at $66.97 per barrel on August 14, down from $68.25 on August 7.

The decline reflected a combination of rising OPEC+ supply, easing geopolitical tensions, and market caution ahead of potential shifts in global demand amid trade policy uncertainties.

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