Okiya Omtatah warns EPRA over Finance Bill

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has received a warning from Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah not to disobey court decisions regarding Finance Act 2023.

This comes after a petition filed by Omtatah and others forced the High Court to halt the Finance Act's implementation.

Omtatah stated that he will pursue any person, group, or organization that disobeys the order.

"The second order, the court says thou shall not do anything about that bill to impose it on Kenyans," Omtatah stated.

"EPRA will need to take that order seriously; if they don't, we'll be after them."

He said the Authority is very much aware of the issued order and they should not act contrary against it.

“They have ample knowledge that the court has issued orders, it’s in the media and all over. It will not have any defence against that order. So I hope that EPRA will obey that order,” Omtatah said.

Omtatah had filed a court motion to stop the Act's implementation on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

According to him, the Finance Act amends various laws to safeguard the interests of counties and their governments while having nothing to do with increasing revenue. These laws also have an impact on how the Senate conducts its business.

However, on Friday, EPRA raised the cost of gasoline, with petrol retailing in Nairobi for Sh13.49, diesel for Sh12.39, and kerosene for Sh11.96.

Peter Agoro submitted the second appeal to halt the execution of the Finance Act, claiming that the Finance Bill 2023 was based on illegality and hence infringed upon and violated the Constitution.

On July 5, the issues will be discussed for more guidance.