Moses Kuria Fires Back at Gachagua
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria responded on Monday after being reprimanded by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday for his remarks regarding the escalating price of petroleum.
As a minister responsible for the private sector, the CS retorted to his supervisor that he had a duty to advise businesses ‘based on science and not truthful voodoo.’
He then reaffirmed his earlier assertion that petroleum prices in Kenya would not decrease shortly.
“August fuel stocks will land in October and the cost is well-known and scientific. September shipments will land in November and costs are also known,” he explained why The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) will not reduce oil prices.
Kuria added that even after November, Kenyans will not be able to take advantage of reduced fuel prices because it will be winter in the United States and stockpiles are expected.
“Then the bilateral arrangements between Saudis and Russia on one side and China and India on the other hand plus ongoing oil cuts,” he added.
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Kuria was referring to the agreement Saudi Arabia and Russia made on September 5 to extend their voluntary oil production limits for the remainder of the year.
By the agreement, the two countries will remove 1,3 million barrels of petroleum from the global market, which is anticipated to increase energy prices.
Gachagua, while acknowledging the rise in global energy prices, urged government officials not to approach the matter with arrogance.
“The Government remains aware of and is sensitive to the challenges Kenyans are facing today; the arrogant statements by a few leaders do not, in any way, reflect the official government position or that of President William Ruto,” he stated.
Kuria had previously stated in a public post that the retail price of gasoline would reach Ksh260 by February 2024, with no recourse for concerned Kenyans.
As a further response to Kenyans who were frustrated by the increase in petroleum prices, he urged them to drill their oil.
However, Ruto’s advisor, economist David Ndii, stated that politicians had lied to Kenyans and that there was no plan to reduce petroleum prices.
Moses Kuria Fires Back at Gachagua