Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has given the Energy Regulatory Authority of Kenya (EPRA) an ultimatum to lower fuel prices following the High Court’s order halting the implementation of the Finance Act 2023.

Speaking on Saturday, July 1, Omtatah stated that he will go after the institution if it violates the order.

Omtatah indicated that he had directed EPRA to revert fuel prices to match June 14 review. Before the hike, super petrol retailed at Ksh182.40, diesel at Ksh167.28, and kerosene at Ksh161.48.

Failure to heed the call, the Busia senator warned that he will file a legal suit against the energy regulator.

“I talked to the MD and I hope he will act. We focused on the court orders that suspended the Finance Act and they gave an injunction against any part of it.

“I have told him if they ignore, I will file a contempt proceeding against them. I will take them to court to be punished for disobeying court orders,” Omtatah stated.

The lawmaker argued that he had informed EPRA of the two orders barring the government from implementing the Finance Act. 

The activist maintained that implementing any section of it will be tantamount to contempt of court.

EPRA increased fuel prices to Ksh195 after President William Ruto signed the Finance Bill 2023 into law. In the Act, the government doubled value added tax imposed on fuel products from 8 to 16 per cent.

“Pursuant to the Finance Act, 2023, the Value Added Tax (VAT) on Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene have been revised from 8 to 16 per cent effective July 1, 2023. 

The price of super petrol in Nairobi is now retailing at Ksh 195.53 per litre, diesel at Ksh 179.67 per litre, and Kerosine at Ksh 173.44 per litre.