Ruto Urges Relevant Authorities to Act on Fuel Price Debate

Speaking in Karen when he met grassroots leaders from Kandara Constituency at his Karen Residence, Ruto said it was wrong to add fuel prices especially now when the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted livelihoods.

"Relevant ministries, the Cabinet sub-Committee and the Parliamentary Committee on Energy must urgently combine efforts and address the steep rise in fuel prices.

"The changes are punitive, especially now when we are battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We must tame the general rise in the cost of living," he said.

The move by the Deputy President comes hours after COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli called the president to explain to Kenyans the hiking of fuel prices.

In a statement on Thursday, Atwoli said the government should prepare for unrest from all quarters.

“We would like Uhuru to comment and make a statement on this unfair perpetual increase in fuel prices. Unless their policies place Kenyan workers at the center then they should prepare for unrest from all quarters,” he said.

Atwoli said COTU is opposed to the perpetual increase in fuel prices and would like to urge the government to be innovative with how it raises taxes.

“At the same time, we would like to remind Uhuru that Kenyan workers are suffering and that he should not tolerate the impunity, punishment, and the affront towards Kenyan workers by bodies such as EPRA,” he added.

The rise of fuel is as a result of increased taxes on all the three products notably VAT, which has gone up to 9.98 percent on petrol from eight percent.