Kiharu Member of Parliament Hon.Ndindi Nyoro has increased pressure on the government to quickly deal with rising fuel prices. He warned that the current trend could worsen the cost-of-living crisis for millions of Kenyans.
Speaking amid growing public concern, Nyoro criticized the government’s delayed and insufficient response to a situation he believes has been clear since February. He argued that the recent fuel price hikes were not sudden and could have been prevented with quicker action and strong leadership.
The legislator outlined a series of measures he believes could reduce fuel prices by up to KSh 27 per litre almost immediately. These include cutting the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel, removing the KSh 7 fuel levy introduced in 2024, and allocating at least KSh 5 billion from the Fuel Stabilisation Fund to help consumers. According to Nyoro, these actions do not need new policies; they only require reversing recent tax measures that have added extra pressure on consumers.
“Kenyans are not asking for favors; they are demanding that taxes and levies return to their 2023 levels,” he said. He added that the Fuel Stabilisation Fund, which currently holds billions contributed by consumers, should be actively used to reduce costs at the pump.
Ndindi Nyoro graduates with Master of Arts in Economics from University of Nairobi
Nyoro also questioned the current fuel pricing model. He noted that global crude oil prices were higher in 2022 than they are now, yet local pump prices were much lower back then. He called the situation a paradox and urged for more transparency in how fuel prices are set.
At the same time, he expressed concerns about the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel import arrangement. He urged authorities to disclose its structure and who benefits from it. He claimed that the system lacks transparency and may be helping a few individuals while ordinary Kenyans face rising costs.
The MP warned that high fuel prices could have a ripple effect on the economy, leading to increased transport costs, higher food prices, and rising production expenses. He pointed out that fuel is essential in almost every sector, meaning any increase at the pump will lead to higher living costs for households.
He also cautioned that sustained pressure from fuel imports could weaken the Kenyan shilling due to greater demand for foreign currency, making the economic challenges even tougher.
Nyoro called on the government to act urgently, stressing that delays in addressing the issue could have lasting effects on economic stability and public welfare. “Time is of the essence. The economy runs on fuel, and the decisions made now will affect the financial well-being of Kenyans in the coming months,” he said.
