Omtatah to sue EPRA for hiking fuel prices
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has threatened to file contempt proceedings against the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for defying court orders to hike fuel prices.
On Friday, June 30, 2023, EPRA hiked fuel prices in line with the Finance Bill 2023, which increased VAT for fuel from 8 per cent to 16 per cent, despite a court order suspending implementation of the Act.
Omtatah says he had spoken to EPRA boss Daniel Kiptoo informing him of his intent to file a contempt case against the regulator for disobeying a court order.
'I talked to the MD EPRA, we focused on the court orders that suspended the Finance Act and they gave an injunction against any part of it. Told him if they ignore, I’ll file contempt proceeding against them for disobeying court orders," Omtatah stated.
EPRA review
In the fuel prices review announced on Friday, EPRA announced that the retail price per litre of petrol, diesel and kerosene would increase by Ksh13.49, Ksh12.39 and Ksh11.96 respectively starting July 1.
"Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2023, the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Super Petrol (PMS), Diesel (AGO) and Kerosene has been revised from 8% to 16% effective 1st July 2023. As a result, the changes in the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices in Nairobi are as follows: Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increase by Ksh13.49 per litre, Ksh12.39 per litre and Ksh11.96 per litre respectively," Kiptoo stated.
A litre of petrol in Nairobi is currently retailing at Ksh195.53, diesel Ksh179.67 and kerosene Ksh173.44 following the review.
