President Ruto: ‘My Hands Tied’ as Fuel Costs Soar
William Ruto has stated that the escalation of petroleum costs in the nation has physically restrained him.
President Ruto, in his capacity as the party leader of UDA and the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, convened a parliamentary group meeting that was attended by more than 200 Members of Parliament. The meeting prominently addressed the issue of the elevated cost of living, primarily ascribed to the surge in petroleum prices.
According to sources with knowledge of the meeting who were granted access to Citizen TV, leaders expressed apprehensions regarding the escalating price of fuel, which is causing hardship for millions of Kenyans and, consequently, alienating the populace from the regime. The Head of State stated that this concern does not disturb him, as he is constrained by obligations.
Members of parliament questioned Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who testified before the Energy Committee of the National Assembly, regarding Kenya’s failure to reduce petroleum prices in comparison to neighboring states.
ALSO READ:
- Tuju suffers blow in Sh3.5bn property dispute
- Governor Mwangaza’s charges not grounds for impeachment – CS Kuria
“Tanzania as we speak prices are going down while in Kenya the prices are going up,” said an MP.
In his response, Chirchir said: “The product in Tanzania or Uganda will not be cheaper than Kenya on account of freight and premium it will be because of taxes. We will always be lower on freight and premium and that’s why I said we need a wider scope of time to discuss and take members through what was negotiated.”
Officials from the Ministry of Energy have additionally ascribed the disparities in petroleum costs between Kenya and its neighboring countries to the appreciation of the dollar relative to the Kenyan shilling.
Next week, members of the Parliamentary Group for Kenya Kwanza will convene once more to deliberate on the exorbitant expense of fuel, which Kenyans continue to find expensive at the pump.
President Ruto: ‘My Hands Tied’ as Fuel Costs Soar
