How Kilolita works

What a Kilolita is

A Kilolita is how many kilometres a vehicle really goes on one litre of fuel on Kenyan roads, worked out from figures drivers send us and we check.

Kilolita is our own word, taken from the question Kenyan drivers already ask: "Hii ni ya kilometer ngapi per liter?"

How we work out each figure

• The main figure is the typical one (the median). We line up every checked figure for that engine and take the one in the middle, so one unusual figure cannot pull it far.
• Under the figure we show the range that the middle half of drivers fall in.
• Every figure shows how many drivers it comes from.
• With figures from fewer than 5 drivers we label it an early figure. It will move as more drivers add theirs.
• Some drivers tell us what they spend on fuel, or how often they fill up, instead of measuring. These rough figures count until 5 drivers of that engine have measured theirs (full tank to full tank, or the car's trip computer). From then on, only measured figures count.
• Our rankings use drivers' figures where we have them and our estimate where we do not yet. Each row says which.
• With no figures from drivers yet, we show a Kilolita Estimate: the official figure reduced to match Kenyan driving. We take 28% off a JC08 rating, 15% off WLTC, 15% off WLTP, 22% off NEDC and 35% off Japan's older 10·15 mode test, which gave the highest figures. We review these cuts as figures from drivers arrive.
• Some engines have no official figure of their own. If the same engine, with the same gearbox and drive, has one in another model, we may use that model's estimate and say so on the page. A heavier body can use more fuel, so treat it as a rough guide.
• We keep figures to three decimal places and show them to one.

How we work out costs

Cost per km is the pump price divided by km/L. Monthly costs assume 1,000 km a month.

Pump prices come from EPRA, the energy regulator, which sets the highest price stations may charge in each town. New prices apply from the 15th of each month. The prices in use now are for 15 Oct to 14 Nov 2026. Prices differ by town, so choose yours from the town list on any vehicle page. We remember your choice.

Where the figures come from

Anyone can add one, and no account is needed. Drivers tell us what they spend on fuel and how far they drive, how far a fill-up takes them, or the distance and litres from one tank. We work out km/L ourselves rather than taking a figure on trust. Figures worked out from what drivers remember are marked as estimates.

Someone on our team checks every figure against others for the same vehicle before it counts. Figures that look wrong are held for a closer look, not deleted.