Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned opposition leaders against politicising fuel prices, saying the war in Iran has disrupted the global oil sector, leading to higher importation costs.
Prof. Kindiki said the government has taken necessary measures to lessen the pain for most Kenyans, calling on politicians to stop inciting the public on matters caused by external factors.
“Do not politicise fuel prices. The rise in fuel prices has not been occasioned by the Government of Kenya. This has been caused by the war between the USA and Iran that has escalated to the countries in the Persian Gulf,” he said.
The Deputy President spoke on Thursday when he commissioned and inspected development projects in Chonyi Constituency, Kilifi County.
He said demonstrations do not solve anything, noting that policy measures are key to cushioning Kenyans against high prices.
“We have taken the required measures to respond to the emerging situation. There is no solution in demonstration. We can only find solutions in short-term and long-term policy interventions. Already the President has directed the reduction of VAT on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 percent and he will announce more measures,” he explained.
The DP revealed that Kilifi County is a beneficiary of 385 kilometres of road projects costing Ksh.25 billion and 17 modern markets, affordable houses, hostels and institutional accommodation at a cost of 22 billion shillings.
The government has also allocated Ksh.2.1 billion to connect an additional 23, 589 houses to electricity in the coastal county.
Prof. Kindiki said the government is keen to develop every part of the country, reiterating that no section will be discriminated against as was the case before.
He challenged the opposition to present an alternative development agenda instead of endless insults.
“Our competitors must find a better agenda, not insults, they have become experts in. We must compete on what we are doing to improve the lives of the people, not insults that are not helping anyone,” he said.
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