Okiya Omtatah gives EPRA an ultimatum for defying court order

In a tweet on Sunday, the Busia legislator said he spoke to EPRA’s Managing Director, notifying him of his intentions if the authority fails to comply with the court order. 

“I talked to the MD @EPRA_Ke, 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,” he wrote. 

Following a petition by Omtatah, High Court stopped the law from taking effect from July 1. The law entailed the rise of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel from 8% to 16%. 

However, EPRA revised fuel prices on June 30, which saw an increase in prices, where a litre of petrol, diesel, and kerosene retail at Ksh.195.50, Ksh.179.60 and Ksh.173.44 respectively. 

This is contrary to the court order barring the implementation of any section of the Finance Act.

"I am satisfied that the application meets the test of conservatory orders and I do grant prayers 2 and 3 of the application until July 5, 2023, when the matter is scheduled for mention for directions," the court ruled on June 30.