Kenyans have breathed a sigh of relief after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) exempted petroleum products from the increases in excise duty on inflation adjustments.

KRA boss Githii Mburu announces the move, which is meant to cushion Kenyans from the harsh fuel prices.

According to Mburu, the high cost of fuel products in Kenya has occasioned the exemption.

“The only category we are going to leave out petroleum products because of the currently very high prices of fuel and we want to support Kenyans in ensuring the price of full doesn’t go higher,” Mburu said.

However, the taxman confirmed that he will make adjustments to all other excisable products in the legal notice yet to be published.

“We will make the adjustment on all other excisable products,” the taxman said.

Petroleum products featured among the 31 products earmarked for excise duty adjustments at 6.3 per cent rate to cover the average inflation across the 2022/2023 financial year.

Thirty other categories of excisable goods that will attract high rates of excise include bottled water, fruit juices, powdered beer, beer, wines and spirits, cigarettes, imported SIM cards and motorcycles.