Deputy President professor Kithure Kindiki has defended the government’s approach to the rising fuel prices blaming the situation on the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Professor Kindiki, said the fuel prices have been skyrocketing, indicated that the international fuel crisis led to increased freight prices, insurance, and disruption of people’s movement.
He encouraged the citizens of Kenya that despite a crisis the Government is ready to implement measures to protect them from the economic effects of fuel price hike.
The Deputy President said that the Government has allocated 12 billion shillings as fuel subsidies for the last two months and more continuing subsidies will be given to imported fuels until when the world market gets normal.
Bedsides, Kindiki revealed that the diesel price was slashed by 10 shillings per litre starting from now and such a move is a proof of the government’s vow to keep on involving the fuel stakeholders in handling the rise of fuel price in a sustainable coutry.
He further mentioned that part of the measures aimed at lightening the load on consumers and businesses had resulted in Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel being lowered from the previous rate of 16 percent.
The second in command reiterated that it is very necessary for the Government to deal with the fuel crisis but changes in taxes need to be done in such a way that they should not lead to lessening of revenue which would be used by the Government to support the critical sectors of the economy. In his statement, he handed out that part of the fuel tax was used in the construction and maintenance of roads and also in the provision of the key public services which included education and social welfare programmes.
Meanwhile, Prof. Kindiki expressed strong criticism against the violence, armed robbery, arson, and destruction of property, among others, that occurred during recent protests on fuel prices.
He pointed out that it is a danger to national security and the future of the country when criminal elements take advantage of demonstrations to carry out illegal acts.
Based on the Deputy President, those who show indifference towards criminality and terror acts against the citizens do not deserve to be leaders in the country.
