Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has defended the government’s handling of the rising fuel prices, attributing the global increase to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
In a lengthy statement issued on Tuesday, Kindiki said the international crisis had triggered a sharp rise in fuel costs, freight charges, insurance and logistics, ultimately affecting prices in Kenya and other countries across the world.
“The sharp increase in fuel prices around the world has resulted from the US/ Israel and Iran War which has led to escalation of fuel costs, freight, insurance and logistics,” Kindiki stated.
He assured Kenyans that the government was taking measures to cushion citizens from the economic impact of the crisis through subsidies and tax adjustments.
“The Government is committed to cushioning the people of Kenya by mitigating the effects of this crisis. VAT has been reduced from 16%, 12 billion shillings has already been used to subsidize fuel prices in the last two months and more subsidies will be applied for future stocks until the situation levels out,” he added.
According to the Deputy President, the government has also reduced the price of diesel by Ksh10 per litre effective immediately as part of efforts to ease the burden on consumers and businesses.
“Effective today, the price of diesel has been reduced by 10 shillings per litre as a sign of Government commitment to continuous engagement with stakeholders to achieve a sustainable management of the global fuel price spike,” he said.
At the same time, Kindiki defended the remaining fuel taxes, saying the revenue is necessary to support road construction, maintenance, education and social services.
He also condemned violence, armed robberies and destruction of property by criminal groups, warning that individuals supporting such acts were unfit to hold leadership positions in the country.