Osotsi: Senate will push for zero-rated fuel pricing to ease pressure on Kenyans
By Aloys Michael, May 16, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has intensified pressure on the government to ease the burden of rising fuel costs, declaring that the Senate will push for fuel to be zero-rated in a bid to cushion struggling Kenyans from the escalating cost of living.
Speaking during a burial ceremony in Busali on Saturday, May 16, 2026, the senator said lawmakers must urgently intervene to stop what he described as punitive taxation on fuel products that continues to hurt ordinary citizens, transport operators, and businesses across the country.
“In the Senate, we are going there to push for VAT to be reduced further to zero per cent, so that it becomes zero-rated,” Osotsi said.
“We also want the road maintenance levy to be reduced. We should not place an even heavier burden on our people. Taxes have already gone up, the cost of everything has increased, and now we are again increasing fuel prices for them.”
The remarks come amid growing nationwide outrage following the latest fuel price review announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which saw the cost of Super Petrol rise by Ksh16.65 per litre and Diesel increase by Ksh46.29 per litre for the May-June 2026 pricing cycle.
Widespread anger
Following the review released on Thursday, May 14, 2026, Super Petrol is now retailing at Ksh214.25 per litre while Diesel has surged to Ksh242.92 per litre, sparking immediate fare increases by public service vehicle operators and long-distance transport companies.
The sharp increases have triggered widespread anger among motorists, boda boda riders, matatu operators, digital cab drivers, cargo transporters, and tourist vehicle operators, who have now announced plans for a nationwide strike beginning Monday, May 18, 2026.
In a joint statement issued under the Transport Alliance after a stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi, the groups accused the government and EPRA of imposing sharp and unjustified fuel price hikes that have worsened the already difficult economic conditions facing millions of Kenyans.
Transport operators warned that continued increases in pump prices would cripple businesses, push up food prices, and make transport unaffordable for many families already grappling with high inflation and taxation.
Osotsi’s statement now adds to mounting political pressure from both the Senate and National Assembly for urgent intervention on fuel pricing and taxation.
Nyoro writes to Wetang’ula
At the same time, Ndindi Nyoro has formally requested Moses Wetang’ula to recall Parliament for an emergency sitting to deliberate on proposals aimed at reducing fuel prices by as much as Ksh27 per litre.
The legislator has proposed several tax reforms, including reducing Value Added Tax on fuel from the current 8 per cent to zero and scrapping the controversial road maintenance levy introduced in 2024.
“I am proposing that we reduce by four shillings and reduce Value Added Tax (VAT) further from the current 8 per cent to zero. In the short term, we must exempt fuel products from VAT,” Nyoro said.
He further argued that the Ksh7 road maintenance levy should be abolished immediately to lower the cost burden on consumers.
“We must do away with the road maintenance levy of Ksh7 that was introduced in 2024 by this government,” the MP stated.
According to Nyoro, if Parliament approves the proposed measures, the retail price of super petrol could fall to around Ksh186 per litre while diesel could drop to approximately Ksh189.
The Kiharu MP also launched a scathing attack on the government-to-government fuel importation arrangement, claiming that powerful individuals within government were profiting from the current system.
“The G-to-G arrangement is a kiosk for senior government officials. The same people you see claiming to reduce prices are the same people who own G-to-G. In fact, 75 per cent of fuel imports benefit our leaders directly,” Nyoro claimed.
Nyoro accused unnamed officials of exploiting global supply shocks for personal gain, saying Kenyans should not be forced to shoulder the burden of both international oil market volatility and corruption.
“Kenyans cannot accommodate global supply shocks and also accommodate your greed at the same time. I am urging leaders to tame their greed,” he added.
The MP further claimed that some fuel currently being sold in the country may be adulterated, claiming he had received numerous complaints from motorists who suspect paraffin is being mixed with petroleum products for profit.
As pressure continues to pile on the government, all eyes are now on Parliament and the Senate to determine whether lawmakers will push through emergency measures to lower fuel costs and prevent a nationwide transport shutdown that could further disrupt the economy.