- "I seek leave for the adjournment of the House for purposes of discussing a matter of national importance," he said.
- Kenyans have protested the surge and accused the government of being insensitive to their plight.
Image: FILE
Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati has written to Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi seeking leave for adjournment of the House for members to discuss high fuel prices.
In his letter, Arati said the high prices of fuel have been effected at a time when Kenyans are grappling with adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic that have dented their earnings.
“I seek leave for the adjournment of the House for purposes of discussing a matter of national importance regarding imposition of new fuel prices in the country by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority,” he said.
The letter comes barely a day after Muturi challenged MPs to move the debate on fuel from the roadsides to Parliament when the House resumes.
“While I reckon that the cost of living has sharply risen due to among others the cost of fuel, I challenge MPs to move this debate from Baraza meetings to the House when it resumes on Tuesday next week, and bring a proposal to reduce tax on fuel,” Muturi tweeted.
Kenyans have protested the surge and accused the government of being insensitive to their plight.
On Thursday, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka directed the Energy Committee to summon Energy CS Charles Keter and his Petroleum counterpart Peter Munyes to appear before the committee of the Whole House on Tuesday over the hike in fuel prices.
Lusaka issued the order following a statement by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei who sought to know why fuel in Kenya has been on the rise consistently in recent months.
Fuel prices shot up in Kenya last week by an average Sh9 per litre, sparking outrage across the country.
In his letter, Arati said the high fuel prices will have a ripple effect on critical sectors of the economy.
“The hike has also rekindled debate on the high taxation of petroleum products and the work of the Petroleum Development Levy that is supposed to cushion Kenyans,” he added.
In the new changes announced by the regulator, the pump prices for super petrol, diesel and kerosene increased by Sh7.58, Sh7.94, and Sh12.97 per litre respectively in Nairobi.
In Nairobi, super petrol, diesel, and kerosene is selling at Sh134.7 Sh115.6 and Sh110.8 respectively.
In Mombasa, super petrol and diesel retail at Sh132.46 and Sh113.36 respectively while Kerosene costs Sh108.56.
In Nakuru, the pump prices of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene have been set at Sh134.24, Sh115.43, and Sh110.67 per litre respectively.
-Edited by SKanyara