LSK Demands Urgent Economic Relief Following “Brutal” Fuel Price Hikes

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called on the government to implement immediate measures to protect citizens from the fallout of the massive fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

In a statement released on Friday, May 15, LSK President Charles Kanjama warned that the Ksh 46.29 surge in diesel costs will trigger a devastating ripple effect across the economy. He noted that because diesel is the backbone of food production, public transport, and commercial activity, the price hike will disproportionately affect ordinary Kenyans already struggling with the high cost of living.

A Call for Constitutional Accountability

While acknowledging the government’s Ksh 5 billion subsidy from the Petroleum Development Levy, Kanjama argued that this intervention falls short of what is required. He emphasized that under Article 201 of the Constitution, public finance management must be equitable and transparent.

The LSK is urging the government to:

• Strengthen oversight to prevent price exploitation by retailers.

• Introduce additional cushions for vulnerable sectors like agriculture and small businesses.

• Ensure that revenue generation does not come at the expense of economic justice and social protection.

Questions Over Tax Adjustments

Former LSK President Faith Odhiambo echoed these concerns, describing the current situation as “two consecutive brutal cycles.” She specifically pointed to the recent adjustment of VAT on petroleum, which was lowered from 16% to 8% via Legal Notice No. 70 on April 15, 2026.

Odhiambo questioned why this tax reduction failed to meaningfully soften the blow for consumers. “That cushion is clearly not enough,” she stated, noting that despite the lower VAT rate, the landing costs and global supply disruptions—particularly in the Persian Gulf—have still pushed domestic prices to record highs.

The New Reality at the Pump

The current pricing cycle, which will remain in effect for the next 30 days, has set the following maximum retail prices for Nairobi:

• Diesel: Ksh 242.92

• Super Petrol: Ksh 214.25

• Kerosene: Ksh 152.78

EPRA maintained that the new rates were calculated in accordance with several statutes, including the Finance Act 2023 and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024. However, the legal fraternity remains adamant that the current trajectory is unsustainable for the Kenyan taxpayer and demands a more transparent breakdown of how global shocks are being managed locally