Former Chief Justice and leader of the United Green Movement (UGM) Party, David Maraga has criticized the government over what he terms as unreasonably high cost of fuel.
Speaking during the official opening of the UGM office in Busia on Monday, Maraga noted that the cost of fuel in the country was much higher than other East African countries despite the short distance Kenya has in transporting the commodity.
‘We know that fuel being used in Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi passes through Busia but these countries have lower cost of fuel compared to ours,’ he said.
He blamed the high cost on the taxes imposed by the Kenyan government on fuel adding that VAT was raised from eight to sixteen per cent by the current government.
‘We were told that fuel was being bought through government-to-government arrangement but the current regime has resorted to using private companies,” he stated.
The official urged the local residents to register as voters and be ready to cast their votes during the 2027 General elections in order to regain their liberation.
‘I want to assure you that if elected, we will work together to secure our liberation,’ he said.
Maraga at the same time said that Kenya has already borrowed more than Sh12 trillion, out of which Sh7 trillion is from local borrowing, adding that this trend has made bank interest on loans to be excessively high for ordinary Kenya borrower.
He blamed the unwarranted government borrowing on misappropriation of public funds adding that according to the Auditor General’s report, the office of the Deputy President spends in doubtful activities at least Sh8 million per day.
The UGM Party has already opened 36 offices across the country so far.
By Salome Alwanda
