Ndindi Nyoro: Don't hike fuel prices over Iran war

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro greeting residents of Kahuro shopping centre on March 9, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has cautioned the government against raising fuel prices in the coming weeks, warning that Kenyans should not be burdened with costs beyond global market trends.

The MP claimed that the government is hatching a plan to have the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) hike fuel prices beyond international levels while blaming it on the ongoing war in Iran.

“We have seen what is happening in Iran, and the instability there, but I want to tell the government and EPRA to work with the statistics,” Nyoro said.

The war in Iran has rattled global energy markets, with crude oil prices climbing back to levels last seen in 2022.

At that time, international prices were above $100 (Sh12,930) per barrel, and they have currently returned to similar highs.

Instability in the Middle East often triggers spikes in oil prices due to fears of supply disruptions, and the Iran conflict has already caused volatility in global markets.

Nyoro argued that Kenya’s fuel prices should reflect actual import costs rather than speculative increases tied to geopolitical events.

The legislator insisted that EPRA must account for the fuel consignments already imported at lower prices before adjusting local pump prices.

“EPRA, you know very well that when you increase fuel prices in Kenya, you must first deplete the consignment that was imported at lower prices”.

“So we don’t expect you to start deceiving Kenyans by raising fuel prices because the fuel from the month of March up to April is fuel that was brought into Kenya before global prices began to rise,” Nyoro said.

He warned that any attempts to hike prices would be met with opposition, calling instead for the removal of extra taxes imposed on the commodity.

Nyoro reminded the government that Kenyans minimally benefited when global oil prices dropped sharply in the past.

“When global oil prices dropped from $100 per barrel down to even $54 per barrel, Kenyans barely felt the prices fall. They were only reduced by one or two shillings. Why? Because in the first two years, the government increased VAT on fuel from 8 percent to 16 percent,” he said.

He further noted that in 2024, immediately after protests, the government introduced an additional fuel levy of Sh7 per litre.

“They timed it when global fuel prices were dropping, and they added seven shillings. That seven-shilling fuel levy you added, together with VAT—the time has come—you must remove it. Because you cannot transfer the rising prices entirely to consumers,” Nyoro declared.

Nyoro said this while opening the Kahuro Assistant County Commissioner’s office, where he faced resistance from local administrators who failed to attend the event, with some reportedly claiming they had received “orders from above” not to accept the office.

There were also attempts by police officers to stop the event, saying they were acting on instructions from senior authorities. The situation briefly caused tension before members of the local community pushed back and allowed the event to proceed.

“The one who sent those police officers to start issuing threats: next time, do not send people here. Next time, come yourself so we can meet face to face,” Nyoro said defiantly.

Reports indicate that a very senior government official was planning to officially open the same office in the coming weeks, sparking speculation about political rivalry.