By Bonface Mulyungi

Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has launched a scathing attack on Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro, accusing him of hypocrisy and holding him responsible for the current high fuel prices affecting Kenyans.

Speaking on Wednesday amid growing public outrage over the latest fuel price hike, the Senator claimed Nyoro contributed to the current tax regime on petroleum products while serving as Chairperson of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee.

In a rebuttal to Nyoro, who has been vocal with proposals aimed at lowering fuel prices, Cherargei downplayed the calls by the Kiharu MP, asserting that he has no moral authority to advise the government on a mess he created himself.

“Nimeona wenzangu ambao walikuwa hata chairman in 2023/2024… hao ndio walisukuma VAT on petroleum products from 8% to 16%. Sasa unashangaa wamekuwa werevu wanaandikia Bunge ati irudi ijadili,” said Cherargei.

“They are also trying to fight the government but they are using the wrong tactics. Saa hii hana uwezo; wakati huo alikuwa na uwezo lakini aliharibu. Sababu alikuwa mwenyekiti, angesema tusiweke, hatungeweka. Alisema ako na akili mingi akasema tuweke 16% ndio maana Wakenya wanaskia uchungu hadi sasa.”

Cherargei further dismissed Nyoro’s push for a special sitting of Parliament to debate fuel prices, terming it a mere political ‘tactic’ to woo the public and absolve blame, adding that the MP no longer has the influence to effect such changes.

He argued that Parliament has the sole constitutional mandate to impose taxes in the country.

“Articles 209 and 210 of the Constitution say that only Parliament has the power to impose taxes on anything in this country,” he stated.

“The only person with the power to call for a special sitting or ask the Speaker to call for that sitting is the Majority and the Minority leader. Sasa hana uwezo yoyote, sasa anafurahisha watu through public gallery ndio waonekane wazuri.”

Cherargei, however, backed proposals to lower taxes on fuel products, saying the government should consider reducing the Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum from the current 8 per cent to zero due to the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“If it is possible, because of the Middle East problem, I think we should relook at the VAT, which is now at 8%, so that we have it at zero VAT on petroleum products so that the price comes down,” he said.

“We should also reduce the Road Maintenance Levy Fund so that we lower it from Ksh.107 to Ksh.50 per litre and I think it will bring it down.”

The Senator defended some of the levies charged on fuel, saying the collections are supporting infrastructure development across the country.

“Most of the high taxes you are currently seeing of Ksh.117 go to road maintenance, as fuel levy, and that is why you are seeing most roads are being repaired and there are currently no potholes. It is also being used to build roads through the Fuel Levy Fund,” he noted.

At the same time, Cherargei challenged public transport operators to lower fares if fuel prices eventually drop, calling for stricter regulation of the transport sector, including the return of the Michuki rules.

“As the transporters are saying that the fuel prices should go down, let them also reduce fares, maintain their vehicles and comply with traffic rules,” he said

“We want all transport sector vehicles audited, especially our matatus. Let’s use this opportunity to bring back the Michuki rules so that we bring order on our roads and to ensure that Kenyans are safe as they use road transport.”

The remarks come days after Nyoro called for the urgent recall of the National Assembly from recess to deliberate on proposed amendments aimed at lowering fuel prices.

In a letter addressed to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Nyoro proposed reducing VAT on fuel products from 8 per cent to zero and cutting the Road Maintenance Levy Fund by Ksh.7.

The Kiharu MP argued that the changes would significantly lower the cost of Super Petrol and Diesel and cushion Kenyans from the rising cost of living following the latest fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.