Parliament seeks probe into Ruto's UAE oil deal amid surging fuel prices

The committee had also criticized the deal saying crucial details such as how the recruitment exercise to settle on the three oil companies was conducted, and when Kenyans should expect to enjoy lowered prices were not provided.

EPRA board secretary Mueni Mutula however passed the buck to EPRA's management which she said handled the procurement process. She was accompanied by the board chair and former judge Jactone Ojwang.

"The team is not well versed in this matter and might not be able to address the concerns raised by members. We do not have the information as the management handles procurement," stated Mueni.

The Kenya-UAE oil deal has also attracted opposition from Kenyan oil markers who have since moved to court arguing that the government's move to pick a local oil marketer breaches the Open Tender System where marketers competitively bid for the tender.

The oil firms also claim that there was no public participation and stakeholder consultation before the gazettement of the Petroleum (Importation) Regulations, 2022, which is a breach of the constitution.

The government had in April predicted a drop in fuel prices but the fears are now abounding that a litre of petrol might in the coming weeks hit Sh200 if new tax proposals by the National Treasury sail through.

Treasury has in the Finance Bill 2023 proposed an increase on the value-added tax (VAT) levied on petroleum products to the standard rate of 16 per cent from the current rate of eight per cent.