Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has accused the National Assembly of its way of handling the ongoing fuel crisis, stating that the lawmakers are failing Kenyans by remaining silent as the situation continues to disrupt the economy.

Speaking in an interview with a local station on Thursday, May 21, 2026, Nyutu described the National Assembly’s response as a major disappointment, saying legislators had a responsibility to address the crisis urgently.

According to Nyutu, the lawmakers should have convened to deliberate on the fuel situation, which he said has affected businesses, transport, and the cost of living nationwide.

“Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the National Assembly, was supposed to do, first of all, there was supposed to be a proposal by either the minority leader or the majority leader for the recall of the House to deal with this matter that is of national importance; in fact, it’s a national crisis,” Nyutu stated.

Failed priorities

Nyutu accused Speaker Wetang’ula of prioritising political engagements over the suffering of Kenyans amid the fuel shortages and rising prices.

Nyutu also criticised both the majority and minority leaders in the House, claiming they had failed to independently address the matter.

“Moses Wetang’ula thought it was more profitable and more important to go to the mountain and do politics while Kenyans are suffering,” he said.

“The problem is that the minority leader and the majority leader are both singing to the tune of the president and the government, and that is the problem we are in.”

National Assembly on fuel crisis

The statement by Nyutu comes as the National Assembly considers the proposals by Ndindi Nyoro aimed at reducing fuel prices, giving the Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) an official platform to present measures he says could lower the cost of fuel.

The move comes as the government continues negotiations with transport sector stakeholders following the nationwide matatu strike triggered by rising fuel prices.

In a communication from Parliament’s Parliamentary Budget Office, on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the House confirmed receipt of Nyoro’s May 15, 2026, letter outlining proposed legislative amendments intended to ease fuel costs and cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living.

“The proposals shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of Article 114 of the Constitution and the National Assembly Standing Orders,” the letter signed by Director of the Parliamentary Budget Office Martin Masinde stated.

The first proposal seeks to reduce the Road Maintenance Levy Fund charge by Ksh7 per litre through revocation of the 2024 levy order that increased the charge from Ksh18 to Ksh25 per litre.

The second proposal seeks to amend the VAT Act by removing petroleum products from taxable supplies and classifying them as VAT-exempt products, effectively reducing VAT on fuel from the current eight per cent to zero.

“These amendments are short-term measures aimed at reducing the inflationary and sticky economic effects arising from the current high fuel prices,” Nyoro stated in his letter.