Gas Cylinder Woes & 5 Other Unsettling Ruto Promises
President William Ruto campaigned on a pledge to improve the lives of Kenyans by reducing the cost of living.
During his campaign and in the days following his inauguration, Ruto promised to narrow the gap between the poor, also known as “hustlers,” and the wealthy.
Through his bottom-up economic model, he sought to empower Kenyans in various sectors.
GossipA2Z compiled six pledges made by the President that have been postponed or revoked entirely.
Gas cylinders
On Thursday, March 2, the President assured Kenyans that by June 2023, gas cylinders will cost between Ksh500 and Ksh300.
“We will allocate funds to reduce the price of cooking gas; a six-kilogram cylinder currently sold for Ksh2,500 or Ksh2,800 will be reduced to Ksh500 or Ksh300,” he promised at the time.
During an interview with the media on Sunday, May 14, the President disclosed that his administration would be unable to fulfill the June promise.
Ruto disclosed that gas cylinder promises would be reduced if the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 is approved by parliamentarians.
”Had we been successful in including this in the supplemental budget, it would have been implemented on June 1st,” he explained as to why his promise would not be fulfilled.
County distribution
On the campaign trail, the President stated that supporting decentralized units was one way to empower the people.
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Ruto promised on January 24, 2022, to amend the Budget Policy Statement to increase county allocations to 35% of national revenue.
Previously, he stated, “This increase will increase funding for service delivery at the actual base of the social-economic pyramid.”
On April 20, 2023, the senate approved the national government’s proposal to allocate counties Ksh385 billion as opposed to the Commission on Revenue Allocation’s (CRA) recommendation of Ksh425 billion.
Electricity costs
Ruto refuted rumors in December 2022 that his government planned to increase electricity prices.
“I want to assure the people of Kenya that their electricity bills will not increase today or in the future,” said the president.
Despite assurances to the nation, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced on March 24, 2023, an increase in electricity prices.
Consumers utilizing fewer than 30 units were to pay Ksh12 per unit as opposed to Ksh10, while those utilizing between 11 and 100 units were to pay Ksh15.80 per unit as opposed to Ksh10.
Fuel
Ruto announced in March 2023 that the government had signed an agreement to import oil on credit from three international oil-producing companies, a move that would result in lower gasoline prices.
Despite Kenya’s willingness to accept ships transporting fuel from the Middle East as part of the new agreement, fuel prices have continued to climb steadily.
On Sunday, May 14, EPRA announced increases of Kshs3.40 per liter for Super Petrol, Kshs6.40 per liter for Diesel, and Kshs15.19 per liter for Kerosene.
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Maize Flour
Ruto promised Kenyans during his campaign for the presidency that, should he be elected, a 2-kilogram packet of maize flour would cost Ksh100.
Later, Ruto reneged on this promise, stating that the reduction in prices would be gradual and not instantaneous as previously promised.
On Friday, April 14, the President stated that he was limiting the importation of maize to protect local farmers, which was preventing the anticipated decline in flour prices.
“We must ensure that the maize we import does not harm our farmers because it comes from farmers in other countries,” he said, explaining the gradual decrease in the price of maize flour.
Tax-friendly environment
After being sworn in, the Head of State promised a tax-friendly system in which no Kenyan would be harmed by harsh revenue collection.
Ruto remarked on October 28, 2022, “We are committed to instituting a comprehensive culture change at the KRA to make it much more supportive of taxpayers and a people-friendly, customer-centric organization that facilitates taxpayer compliance as a co-tax administration strategy.”
In the Finance Bill 2023, his government has instead proposed a slew of deductions and levies that will strain Kenyans.
Gas Cylinder Woes & 5 Other Unsettling Ruto Promises
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