NAIROBI, Kenya — Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro is facing sharp public criticism after proposing measures to lower fuel prices, with many Kenyans accusing him of hypocrisy over his past support for higher taxation.
The backlash follows a statement by Nyoro on April 15 in which he outlined proposals he said could reduce fuel prices by at least Sh27 per litre, amid rising concern over escalating petroleum costs.
In his remarks, Nyoro criticised the government for failing to address the fuel crisis and described recent price increases as “unacceptable.”
“It has been made apparent that the Government has never been keen or committed to providing a solution… The drastic increment in fuel prices is unacceptable; a more humane variation must be made,” he said.
However, his position has triggered a wave of criticism online, with users pointing to his previous role as a key defender of the administration’s tax policies, including the increase of Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel to 16pc in 2023.
At the time, Nyoro chaired the powerful National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, where he played a central role in advancing fiscal measures under the Kenya Kwanza administration led by President William Ruto.
During parliamentary debates in July 2023, Nyoro defended the VAT increase, arguing it was necessary to finance government expenditure, including subsidies and infrastructure.
“Those who may not agree… should give us other revenue measures. You cannot have your cake and eat it,” he said at the time.
That record has now become the focal point of public scrutiny, with critics questioning the credibility of his current stance.
Several Kenyans on social media accused the lawmaker of opportunism, suggesting his shift in tone coincided with his removal from the Budget Committee, a position widely seen as influential in shaping fiscal policy.
Others argued that while his current proposals may hold merit, his past role in crafting and defending tax measures undermines his position as a critic of the same policies.
The debate comes against the backdrop of rising fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which recently pushed pump prices in Nairobi above Sh206 per litre, intensifying pressure on households and businesses.
Economic analysts note that public frustration over the cost of living has increasingly translated into scrutiny of political leaders’ consistency and accountability, particularly on taxation and public finance.
Nyoro’s proposals also touch on broader concerns about transparency in fuel pricing, warning that lack of clarity could trigger hoarding and inefficiencies within the supply chain.
