Petrol prices hit Ksh.195 as EPRA defies court order suspending Finance Act

Kenyans will continue to be pinched at the pump after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the price of super petrol by a whopping Ksh.13.49, pushing the price of petrol to a new height of Ksh.195.53.

The move by EPRA to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) requirement on fuel from 8% to 16% is in direct defiance of a High Court ruling that barred the implementation of the contentious Finance Act, 2023.

The prices of diesel and kerosene have gone up by Ksh.12.39 and Ksh.11.96 respectively, pushing the cost of the critical commodity to Ksh.179.67 and 173.44 respectively.

The increase in fuel prices is expected to have a significant impact on the cost of living in the country with the rate of inflation expected to go up as a result of this.

Critical sectors such as manufacturing , transport and distribution will be affected with the increase in fuel prices.

Some far flung areas of the country will pay over Ksh.200 for a litre of the commodity such as Habaswein where a litre of petrol will go for Ksh.202.90, Mandera at Ksh.209.53 and Moyale at Ksh.205.66.

The price change by EPRA comes immediately after Lady Justice Mugure Thande ruled to suspend the implementation of the Finance Act until the 5th of next month when the matter is expected to be heard in court.

The ruling followed a petition tabled by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah challenging the Finance Act, 2023 seeking to have some sections of the law purged.