Ndindi Nyoro Challenges Government on High Fuel Prices

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has sparked a nationwide debate by calling for a significant overhaul of Kenya’s fuel taxation policy. Taking to social media, the MP highlighted a stark disparity between global oil trends and the reality at local pumps. He pointed out that while global oil prices peaked at over $116 per barrel in May 2022, petrol in Kenya remained around KSh 150. Paradoxically, even as global prices plummeted to below $55 per barrel in late 2025, Kenyans have not felt the relief, with Super Petrol currently holding steady at KSh 178.28 per litre in Nairobi.

The MP, who serves as the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair, attributed these high prices to domestic fiscal policy rather than international market forces. Specifically, he cited the doubling of VAT on fuel to 16% under the Finance Act 2023 and the KSh 7 increase in the Road Maintenance Levy introduced in 2024. According to Nyoro, taxes and levies now account for nearly 46% to 50% of the total cost of fuel—a figure he describes as among the highest in the world. He argued that for a non-oil-producing economy, taxes and levies are the only tools available to protect citizens, and the time has come for the government to “reciprocate” the sacrifices made by consumers.

A particularly contentious point in Nyoro’s critique is the allegation of “illegal securitization.” He claimed the government has already collected or borrowed against the KSh 7 fuel levy hike in advance, amounting to roughly KSh 32 billion annually. He urged the government to hold participating banks accountable, suggesting that these institutions should provide a moratorium or that laws be amended to address what he termed “greed” in the financial sector. The MP emphasized that the economy can no longer shoulder these heavy taxes, especially when neighboring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania—who often rely on Kenyan infrastructure for their fuel—boast significantly lower pump prices.

While supporters have lauded Nyoro for advocating for the common man, critics have been quick to point out his past role in facilitating the very tax increases he now seeks to scrap. As the Chair of the Budget Committee, Nyoro was a key figure during the passage of the Finance Act 2023. Nevertheless, his latest stance signals a growing political consensus that the current cost of living is unsustainable. By calling for the removal of the 8% additional VAT and the KSh 7 fuel levy, Nyoro is positioning himself at the forefront of a movement to shield the Kenyan economy from volatile global dynamics and internal fiscal pressure.