NAIROBI, Kenya- Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called for the urgent recall of Parliament from recess to debate proposals aimed at lowering fuel prices and cushioning Kenyans from the rising cost of living.
In a statement issued amid growing public anger over the latest fuel price hike, Nyoro said Parliament must reconvene immediately to process urgent legislative amendments targeting taxes and levies imposed on petroleum products.
“Parliament must be recalled from recess. Fuel products must be exempted from VAT. We must reduce fuel levies. Extra funds for subsidies must be provisioned,” Nyoro said.
The legislator wrote to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula requesting a special sitting “at the earliest, preferably Monday” to deliberate on the proposals.
Nyoro’s proposals include reducing Value Added Tax on fuel products from the current 8 per cent to zero, effectively making petrol, diesel and kerosene VAT exempt. According to the MP, the move could lower the price of petrol by about Sh15.87 per litre and diesel by Sh17.99 per litre.
He also proposed reducing the Road Maintenance Levy Fund by Sh7 through revocation of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund Order, 2024.
Additionally, Nyoro said the government should inject an extra Sh5 billion into diesel subsidies to cushion consumers and businesses from the soaring fuel costs.
The push comes days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced sharp increases in pump prices, with super petrol in Nairobi rising to Sh214.25 per litre while diesel jumped to Sh242.92 per litre.
Nyoro warned that the continued rise in fuel prices could trigger severe inflation and worsen the economic burden on households and businesses.
“The drastic rise in fuel prices is unacceptable and will grossly hurt the economy now, in the medium and long term,” he said.
His remarks come amid mounting pressure on the government as transport operators and sections of the public prepare protests over the escalating cost of fuel and living expenses.
