Cherargei Blames Nyoro for High Fuel Prices, Dismisses Calls to Lower Taxes.

Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has launched a sharp attack on Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, accusing him of hypocrisy and blaming him for the current high fuel prices. Cherargei claims Nyoro, while chairing the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee in 2023/2024, supported the increase of VAT on petroleum products from 8% to 16%.

Speaking amid public outrage over rising fuel costs, Cherargei said Nyoro lacks moral authority to advise the government on fuel taxes he helped create. He described Nyoro’s push for a special parliamentary sitting to debate fuel prices as a political tactic, noting only the Majority and Minority Leaders can call such sessions.

Despite the criticism, Cherargei supported proposals to lower fuel taxes, suggesting VAT on petroleum be reduced to zero and the Road Maintenance Levy cut from Ksh.107 to Ksh.50 per litre due to the Middle East crisis. He defended some fuel levies, citing infrastructure development and road maintenance funded through these taxes.

Cherargei also called on public transport operators to lower fares if fuel prices drop, comply with traffic rules, and welcomed stricter regulation of the sector, including the possible return of Michuki rules.

The comments follow Nyoro’s letter to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, urging Parliament to cut VAT on fuel and reduce the Road Maintenance Levy, aiming to cushion Kenyans from the rising cost of living.