Mtetezi convener Francis Awino has moved to the High Court seeking urgent orders to stop the implementation of the latest fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), arguing that the decision is unconstitutional and economically harmful to millions of Kenyans.
Awino filed Constitutional Petition No. E309 of 2026 before the Constitutional and Human Rights Division at Milimani Law Courts against EPRA, the National Treasury, the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the Attorney General, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Standards Council.
In the petition, he challenges the revised fuel prices announced for the May 15 to June 14, 2026 pricing cycle, where Super Petrol increased by Ksh16.65 per litre while Diesel rose by Ksh46.29 per litre. Kerosene prices remained unchanged.
The petitioner argues that the sharp increase in fuel prices has placed an unbearable burden on consumers, transport operators, farmers, businesses and households already struggling with the high cost of living.
Awino further claims that despite the government reportedly using about Ksh5 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to cushion consumers, authorities failed to provide a transparent breakdown showing how the money was utilised or how the interventions affected pump prices.
He also wants the court to examine the continued implementation of the 8% VAT on petroleum products under Legal Notice No. 70 of April 15, 2026, maintaining that the measures were introduced without sufficient public participation and full disclosure to Kenyans.
Apart from the fuel pricing dispute, the petition also challenges the temporary adjustment of fuel standards announced by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry on April 30, 2026. The changes allowed imported fuel products to contain higher sulphur levels for six months due to global supply disruptions.
According to court documents, Awino argues that the decision raises environmental and public health concerns and was implemented without adequate accountability or public consultation.
The petitioner is now seeking conservatory orders suspending the implementation of the fuel prices, VAT measures and temporary fuel standards pending the hearing and determination of the case.
