Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has called on the Government to enact measures that will cushion Kenyans against impacts of skyrocketing fuel prices.
Kahiga says ordinary Kenyans should not be left to suffer from the soaring fuel prices at times when they are going through economic hardships.
Yesterday the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) announced the withdrawal of commuter services countrywide until the Government lowers the cost of fuel, a move that has paralysed public transport across the country since Monday morning.
Currently the cost of Petrol retails at Sh 214.25, Diesel at Sh 242.92, while Kerosene is selling at Sh 152.78.
“We continue to see fuel prices going up. This has a trickle-down effect on all sectors of our lives. The Transport sector which is paralysed, and the business sector through resultant increases in prices of goods and commodities, all hurt Mwananchi. The Government must act now and bring down the cost of fuel,” posted Kahiga on his Facebook page.
“Regardless of the global escalation. The government of Kenya has a moral obligation to cushion ordinary Kenyans from these price hike effects.”
Among the measures Kahiga has proposed is the zero rating of all fuel products (currently at 8 per cent), a move he says will significantly bring down the cost of fuel.
He is also calling for the reduction of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RTMLF) from Sh 24 per litre to Sh 14 and an increase in the fuel subsidy from Sh 11 billion to at least Sh 17 billion.
To achieve this, the County boss is calling for an urgent recall of Parliament to enable the enactment of the proposals which he says will significantly bring down not only the cost of the pump price but also the cost of living for the ordinary mwananchi.
“The Government must increase the subsidy from Sh 11billion to 17 billion. This will bring the cost of fuel further. To achieve this, Speaker Wetan’gula must reconvene parliament and enact these favourable recommendations. Kenyans must also watch how MPs vote in Parliament. The Fuel Marketers must get their profit margins reduced to reasonable levels. It doesn’t help when they make extraordinary profits at the expense of Kenyans,” he added.
His sentiments echo those of Kieni MP Wainaina Njoroge who called for the reopening of Parliament to help address the current crisis over rising cost of fuel.
Wainaina argued that despite the increase in oil prices having emanated from the Iran-US standoff, lawmakers had a role to play in coming up with mitigation measures to protect Kenyans.
The Kieni lawmaker had similarly called for a sober discussion over the fuel crisis by all relevant stakeholders without reading politics in the issue insisting that any solution must be a win-win for all Kenyans.
He also asked Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi to come forthright and explain to Kenyans the fuel situation in the country, warning that continued silence on his part is one reason the PSV operators have decided to paralyse commuter transport in the country.
“Public Service Vehicle operators have every reason to protest over the rising cost of fuel in the country since it is hurting their earnings and those of their clients.
However, we need to hear from the Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, on what the Government is going to do to alleviate the problem of high fuel cost in the country .We need a honest and candid discussion over this matter since it impacts on every aspect of our lives,”he added.
By Samuel Maina
