Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Last updated: 2026-10-01
Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Bitumen price in Kenya today ranges from KES 92,000 to KES 118,000 per metric tonne (approximately USD 710–910/tonne) for penetration-grade 60/70 and 80/100, depending on CIF Mombasa landing costs, importer margin, and payment terms. Bulk VG-30 viscosity-grade bitumen for major road contractors is quoted at USD 640–780 per tonne CFR Mombasa in early 2025, reflecting a 6–9% decline from Q4 2024 levels. Retail-packed drum prices (180 kg) in Nairobi, Nakuru, and Eldoret currently sit between KES 17,500 and KES 21,800 per drum.
Key Drivers of Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Kenya imports 100% of its bitumen — there is no domestic refinery production following the conversion of the Kenya Petroleum Refineries Limited (KPRL) facility in Mombasa into a storage terminal. This means local prices are almost entirely a function of four external variables, plus two local cost layers.
| Cost Component | Share of Landed Price | Current Range |
|---|---|---|
| FOB bitumen (origin: Iran, UAE, Bahrain, India) | 55–62% | USD 380–480/MT |
| Ocean freight + insurance | 8–12% | USD 60–95/MT |
| KRA import duty + VAT | 14–18% | 25% duty + 16% VAT |
| Mombasa port, KEBS, storage | 4–6% | USD 35–50/MT |
| Importer margin & inland transport | 8–14% | USD 60–110/MT |
Key points to note:
- Global crude benchmarks — Brent at USD 72–78/bbl pulls bitumen FOB prices down; every USD 5/bbl move shifts Kenyan landed cost by roughly USD 12–18/tonne.
- Iranian vs UAE cargoes — Iranian-origin bitumen (Bandar Abbas) trades at a USD 40–70/tonne discount to UAE (Fujairah) cargoes, but carries sanctions-related payment friction.
- Exchange rate — The KES/USD rate (currently ~129) is a direct multiplier; a 3% shilling depreciation adds about KES 2,800/tonne.
- Seasonality — Prices peak in January–March (road construction season) and ease in May–July during the long rains.
Bitumen Grades and Kenya Price Comparison Table
Contractors in Kenya typically buy three main grades. Here is how they compare on price and use case:
| Grade | Standard | Typical Use | Price (USD/MT, CFR Mombasa) | Price (KES/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration 60/70 | EN 12591 / IS 73 | Base courses, surfacing | 690–780 | 89,000–100,600 |
| Penetration 80/100 | EN 12591 | Warmer climates, seal coats | 675–760 | 87,000–98,000 |
| VG-30 | IS 73:2013 | Heavy traffic highways (KeNHA) | 710–800 | 91,600–103,200 |
| VG-40 | IS 73:2013 | Airport runways, expressways | 760–860 | 98,000–111,000 |
| Cutback MC-30 | ASTM D2026 | Prime coats, patching | 820–920 | 105,800–118,700 |
| Emulsion (CSS-1h) | ASTM D2397 | Tack coats, slurry seal | 700–790 | 90,300–102,000 |
Notes:
- Prices are per metric tonne, bulk (not drummed).
- Drummed supply adds KES 2,500–4,000/tonne for packaging and handling.
- Minimum order for CFR pricing is typically one 20ft container (~26–28 MT) or a breakbulk parcel (500+ MT).
Mombasa vs Inland Price Comparison
The landed price in Mombasa is only part of the story. Inland delivery to project sites in Nairobi, Kisumu, and the Rift Valley adds significantly to the final cost.
| Destination | Freight from Mombasa | Delivered Price Premium | All-in Price (KES/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | — | Base | 92,000–118,000 |
| Nairobi | KES 6,500–8,200/MT | +7–9% | 98,500–126,200 |
| Nakuru | KES 7,800–9,500/MT | +8.5–11% | 100,000–129,500 |
| Eldoret | KES 9,200–11,000/MT | +10–13% | 101,500–132,000 |
| Kisumu | KES 10,500–12,800/MT | +11.5–14.5% | 103,000–134,500 |
| Isiolo / Garissa | KES 14,000–18,000/MT | +15–19% | 106,500–139,000 |
Key observations:
- Bulk tankers (30–35 MT capacity) are the cheapest inland option; drummed deliveries to remote sites can nearly double the freight component.
- KeNHA and KURA projects typically negotiate CFR-to-site contracts, shifting freight risk to the supplier.
- For projects in Northern Kenya, inland freight can exceed USD 130/tonne, making it costlier than ocean freight from the Gulf.
Historical Bitumen Price Trend in Kenya (2023–2025)
Understanding the trend helps buyers time procurement. Below is a quarterly snapshot of bulk 60/70 bitumen, CFR Mombasa:
| Period | Price (USD/MT) | Price (KES/MT) | Change vs Prior Quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 2023 | 620–700 | 79,900–90,200 | — |
| Q3 2023 | 680–760 | 92,500–103,400 | +9.5% |
| Q1 2024 | 720–810 | 95,000–106,900 | +4.5% |
| Q3 2024 | 700–790 | 92,400–104,300 | −2.6% |
| Q1 2025 | 640–780 | 87,000–103,200 | −5.8% |
What drove the movement:
- 2023 surge — Post-COVID infrastructure spending and shilling depreciation (KES 110 → 153) pushed prices up nearly 30%.
- 2024 correction — Shilling recovery to ~129, plus softer Brent, cut landed costs by 5–8%.
- 2025 outlook — Analysts expect USD 620–760/MT range for bulk grades if Brent stays under USD 80/bbl and the shilling holds.
How to Get the Best Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Buying bitumen in Kenya is not just about the quoted number — payment terms, delivery terms, and quality certification materially affect the true landed cost.
- Buy CFR vs FOB — CFR Mombasa removes ocean freight and insurance risk from the buyer. Expect to pay 3–5% more than FOB, but with far less volatility.
- Lock in Forward Contracts — For 500+ MT, most importers will offer 30–90 day price locks with a 2–4% premium. Useful during peak construction season.
- Verify KEBS Certification — All bitumen must meet KS EAS 12:2019. Non-compliant cargoes are rejected at Mombasa, and re-export costs run USD 40–60/MT.
- Consolidate Volumes — Grouping orders across contractors can hit breakbulk parcel pricing (USD 30–50/MT savings vs container pricing).
- Time Your Buys — March–April and August–September historically offer the best pricing windows due to rain-season lulls in demand.
- Check SGS / Intertek — Independent pre-shipment inspection adds USD 8–15/MT but prevents expensive quality disputes at Mombasa.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
1. What is the current price of bitumen in Kenya?
As of early 2025, bulk bitumen (60/70 penetration grade) in Kenya trades between KES 92,000 and KES 118,000 per metric tonne CFR Mombasa, or USD 710–910/tonne. Drummed retail pricing in Nairobi ranges from KES 17,500 to KES 21,800 per 180 kg drum.
2. Why is bitumen so expensive in Kenya?
Kenya imports 100% of its bitumen — there is no local refining — so the price includes ocean freight, 25% import duty, 16% VAT, KEBS testing, port charges, and inland transport. These adders make Kenya's landed cost 15–25% higher than FOB Gulf prices.
3. Which bitumen grade is cheapest in Kenya today?
Penetration grade 80/100 is currently the cheapest at USD 675–760/MT (KES 87,000–98,000/MT) CFR Mombasa, since it does not require viscosity-grading upgrades. However, VG-30 is often more cost-effective for heavy-traffic highways because it lasts longer.
4. How much does bitumen cost per drum in Kenya?
A 180 kg drum of 60/70 penetration bitumen in Nairobi, Nakuru, or Eldoret costs KES 17,500–21,800, equivalent to KES 97,200–121,100 per tonne. Remote Northern Kenya deliveries can add KES 2,000–3,500 per drum.
5. Will bitumen prices in Kenya go down in 2025?
Most importers expect a mild 3–7% decline through 2025 if Brent stays below USD 80/bbl and the shilling remains stable near KES 128–132/USD. The cheapest buying window is likely May–July, during the long-rains construction lull.
Calculate Your Exact Bitumen Landed Cost with 6Tar
Bitumen price in Kenya today varies by grade, delivery location, volume, and payment terms — and a 5% miscalculation on a 1,000-tonne road project can cost you KES 5.8 million. Instead of relying on indicative quotes, use the 6Tar cost calculator to get an itemized landed-cost breakdown: FOB, freight, duty, VAT, port, storage, and inland delivery, all updated to the current KES/USD rate.
- Compare suppliers side-by-side — Iranian, UAE, Bahraini, and Indian origin pricing in one dashboard.
- Model 50–10,000 MT volumes — with container, breakbulk, and drummed options.
- Get live CFR and delivered-to-site quotes — Mombasa, Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, and remote project sites.
- Download a PDF quote — ready for procurement and tender submission.
Request your free bitumen landed-cost calculation on 6Tar today and lock in the best price before the next market move.