Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Last updated: 2026-10-03
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Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
As of February 2025, the prevailing bitumen price in Kenya today ranges between KES 95,000 and KES 125,000 per metric tonne (MT) for bulk purchases, depending on grade (60/70 or 80/100 penetration) and volume. This translates to approximately USD 735–970 per MT at the current exchange rate of KES 129/USD. For smaller quantities under 5 MT, expect to pay a premium of 10–18%, pushing the price to KES 105,000–145,000 per MT.
| Grade | Bulk Price (≥20 MT) | Mid-Volume (5–19 MT) | Small Order (<5 MT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration 60/70 | KES 95,000–110,000/MT | KES 105,000–120,000/MT | KES 115,000–140,000/MT |
| Penetration 80/100 | KES 100,000–118,000/MT | KES 110,000–128,000/MT | KES 120,000–145,000/MT |
| Cutback Bitumen | KES 110,000–130,000/MT | KES 120,000–140,000/MT | KES 130,000–155,000/MT |
| Emulsion (CSS-1h) | KES 85,000–100,000/MT | KES 95,000–112,000/MT | KES 105,000–125,000/MT |
What Drives the Bitumen Price in Kenya Today?
Kenya imports over 95% of its bitumen, primarily from Iran, the UAE, and Bahrain. This heavy reliance on imports means local prices are directly tethered to global crude oil benchmarks and shipping costs. When Brent crude rises by USD 5/barrel, Kenyan bitumen prices typically climb by KES 3,500–5,000 per MT within 2–3 weeks.
Key cost drivers in February 2025:
- Global crude oil prices: Brent is trading at USD 78–82/barrel, up 6% from Q4 2024
- Shipping and freight: Mombasa port landing costs average USD 45–60 per MT from Gulf suppliers
- Import duties and levies: KRA taxes add approximately KES 12,000–16,000 per MT
- Exchange rate volatility: The KES has weakened 3.2% against the USD since October 2024
- Local distributor margins: 8–15% markup for storage, handling, and logistics
- Demand seasonality: Road construction peaks from January to March and June to September, raising prices 5–10%
| Month | Avg. Price (KES/MT) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2024 | 88,000 | — |
| Sep 2024 | 91,000 | +3.4% |
| Oct 2024 | 97,000 | +6.6% |
| Nov 2024 | 102,000 | +5.2% |
| Dec 2024 | 108,000 | +5.9% |
| Jan 2025 | 114,000 | +5.6% |
| Feb 2025 | 118,000 | +3.5% |
The trend is unmistakably upward. Over the past 6 months, bitumen prices in Kenya have surged 34%, driven by a combination of global supply tightening and domestic infrastructure spending under the Kenya Roads Board's 2024/25 budget of KES 82 billion.
Regional Price Comparison: Kenya vs. East Africa
Understanding how Kenya's bitumen prices stack up against neighbours helps importers and contractors make smarter sourcing decisions.
| Country | Avg. Price (USD/MT) | Avg. Price (KES/MT) | Import Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | USD 915 | KES 118,000 | Iran, UAE, Bahrain |
| Tanzania | USD 880 | KES 113,500 | UAE, Iran |
| Uganda | USD 960 | KES 123,800 | Kenya (re-export), UAE |
| Rwanda | USD 985 | KES 127,000 | Kenya, Tanzania |
| Ethiopia | USD 870 | KES 112,200 | Djibouti port imports |
| South Africa | USD 790 | KES 101,900 | Domestic refining (Sasol) |
Kenya sits in the mid-to-high range for the region. Tanzania offers a 3–4% cost advantage due to lower port charges at Dar es Salaam, while landlocked Uganda and Rwanda pay 4–9% more because of overland transport costs from Mombasa.
Why South Africa is cheaper: Sasol and Engen operate domestic refineries that produce bitumen locally, eliminating import premiums. Kenya has no functioning local bitumen refinery — the last one, at Changamwe, ceased operations in the 1990s.
How to Get the Best Bitumen Price in Kenya Today
Getting a competitive price requires strategic sourcing. Here are 7 actionable tactics that can save you KES 8,000–20,000 per MT:
1. Buy in bulk (≥20 MT): Bulk buyers consistently pay 8–12% less than small-order purchasers.
2. Order directly from importers: Cut out middlemen — companies like 6Tar, Kenya Bitumen, and Bituchem Kenya import directly and offer factory-gate pricing.
3. Time your purchase: Prices dip 3–6% in April–May and October–November when construction activity slows.
4. Negotiate payment terms: Cash-on-delivery buyers often get 2–4% discounts vs. 30-day credit terms.
5. Consolidate shipments: Pool orders with other contractors to hit the 20 MT bulk threshold.
6. Consider alternative grades: 80/100 penetration bitumen costs 5–8% less than 60/70 and works well for low-traffic roads.
7. Track global prices: Use a cost calculator (like the one at 6Tar) to model prices based on crude oil movements before committing.
| Supplier Type | Typical Price Range (KES/MT) | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Importer | 95,000–108,000 | 7–14 days |
| Regional Distributor | 105,000–120,000 | 3–7 days |
| Local Hardware/Dealer | 120,000–145,000 | 1–3 days |
| Government Tender Supply | 90,000–100,000 | 21–45 days |
Direct importers offer the best value, but require larger order volumes and longer lead times. For urgent small orders, local dealers are convenient but charge a 25–40% premium.
Bitumen Price Forecast for Kenya (2025)
What should buyers expect in the coming months? Based on current trends, here's our projection:
| Quarter | Projected Price (KES/MT) | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 (Jan–Mar) | 115,000–125,000 | Peak construction season |
| Q2 2025 (Apr–Jun) | 108,000–118,000 | Rainy season slowdown |
| Q3 2025 (Jul–Sep) | 112,000–122,000 | Dry season rebound |
| Q4 2025 (Oct–Dec) | 118,000–130,000 | Year-end infrastructure push |
Bullish factors (pushing prices up):
- Kenya's 2025/26 road budget expected to increase by 12%
- Ongoing LAPSSET and Nairobi Expressway extension projects
- Tightening Iranian supply due to sanctions
Bearish factors (pushing prices down):
- Potential KES stabilization if tourism and remittances rise
- New UAE refinery capacity coming online mid-2025
- Slower-than-expected GDP growth (projected 5.2% vs. 5.6% in 2024)
Bottom line: Expect prices to remain in the KES 108,000–130,000 range through 2025, with the best buying windows in May and October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the current bitumen price in Kenya today?
As of February 2025, bulk bitumen (60/70 grade) costs KES 95,000–110,000 per MT, while small orders under 5 MT range from KES 115,000–140,000 per MT. Prices vary by supplier, location, and payment terms.
Q2: Why is bitumen so expensive in Kenya compared to South Africa?
Kenya imports over 95% of its bitumen, adding freight, import duties, and distributor margins that total KES 30,000–40,000 per MT. South Africa produces bitumen domestically through Sasol, eliminating these import costs entirely.
Q3: How much does 1 tonne of bitumen cover in road construction?
One metric tonne of bitumen typically covers 150–250 square meters of road surface, depending on the application rate (usually 4–7 kg per square meter for prime coats and tack coats). For asphalt mixes, 1 MT of bitumen binds approximately 20–25 MT of aggregate.
Q4: Where can I buy bitumen at the best price in Kenya?
Direct importers based in Mombasa and Nairobi offer the lowest prices, typically KES 95,000–108,000 per MT for orders above 20 MT. Avoid local hardware dealers unless you need urgent small quantities, as they charge 25–40% more.
Q5: Will bitumen prices in Kenya go down in 2025?
Prices may dip 5–8% in April–May 2025 during the rainy season when construction slows, potentially reaching KES 108,000–115,000 per MT. However, long-term forecasts suggest prices will remain elevated due to infrastructure spending and global supply pressures.
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