Molo MP Kimani Kuria called on the National Assembly to extend the reduced 8% value‑added tax on petroleum products before the relief expires on 15 October.

Kuria, who chairs the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning, warned that reverting to the standard 16% VAT would raise pump prices by at least KSh 15 per litre.

On the same day, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) released the maximum retail prices for the 15 October to 14 November cycle, with Nairobi’s super‑petrol set at KSh 226.96 per litre.

The new ceiling represents a KSh 12.93 increase over the previous cycle’s KSh 214.03, while diesel rises to KSh 227.76 (up KSh 9.90) and kerosene jumps to KSh 219.85 (up KSh 28.49).

EPRA attributed the hikes to higher international crude prices and related shipping, insurance and procurement costs, noting that Murban crude rose to US$101.67 per barrel on 8 October amid Middle‑East supply concerns.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi confirmed that the National Assembly is reviewing an amendment bill to prolong the 8% VAT relief for an additional 90 days beyond 15 October.

The VAT relief, introduced by President William Ruto’s amendment bill on 17 April, initially cut petroleum VAT from 16% to 8% for a 90‑day period back‑dated to 15 April and was later extended in July until 14 October, together with a KSh 945 million subsidy for the July‑August pricing cycle.