The Energy Regulatory Commission is in discussion with the government to raise the taxation of Kerosene to remove the challenge of Adulteration in the country.
This is also to increase the domestic use of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), which is cleaner and safer.
The Director General of the Commission Joe Ng’ang’a said the driving motive of adulteration is that there is a differential between the taxation of kerosene and other products.
“The current taxes on super petrol and Diesel are higher as compared to those of kerosene hence some of the reasons for adulteration “, said Ng’ang’a in Kisumu.
Ng’ang’a said they are discussing with the government to see how they can be able without necessarily disadvantaging the poor members of the population raise the taxation.
He said they want taxation of kerosene to be raised as the additional benefit can be switched so that they can be able to get people to use the LPG better.
“We need to recognize this in terms of improving quality of life for people especially the medical element like respiratory ailment arising from internal pollution in the house’s,” he said.
He said during the Petrol Station Operators and Transport Business Legislative and Regulatory workshop that by physical practices, they can be able to drive people away from adulterations.
Ng’ang’a however said such malpractices like the diversion of transit petroleum and adulteration of motor fuels with domestic kerosene only create unfair business environment resulting into loss of government revenue.