High Court dismisses Kenyan fuel levy refund suit

A court tossed a lawsuit demanding fuel levy refunds after finding the government ran proper public hearings before jacking up road fees last year.

High Court backs 2024 fuel levy hike process

• Judges ruled the state met constitutional standards when raising the charge from Sh18 to Sh25 per litre.
• Haki Yetu Organisation wanted the increase cancelled and Sh7 per litre returned to drivers.
• Officials had published drafts, gathered written feedback, and held meetings across 10 regions.
• The court said blocking refunds would have blown a multibillion-shilling hole in road budgets.

Activists claimed the consultation was fake and rushed

• The group argued notice periods were too tight, and venues stayed out of reach.
• They pointed to a confusing late-night social media post that supposedly scared people away.
• Critics said dissenting opinions got ignored, and internet limits blocked meaningful input.
• The petition noted the Cabinet Secretary flagged cost concerns just two days before approval.

Kenya Roads Board justified the jump with funding gaps

• A study showed collections fell short by Sh63 billion against the annual needs of Sh157 billion.
• Inflation, currency drops, climate damage, and expansion costs all squeezed the maintenance fund.
• Experts calculated the full funding required to be Sh34 per litre, but recommended phased increases instead.
• The Board last adjusted rates back in 2016 before network growth outpaced revenue.