Chairperson of the President’s Economic Council David Ndii on Friday, December 15, came out to debunk a presentation by Jubilee Party’s Deputy Organizing Secretary Pauline Njoroge.
In a statement, Pauline Njoroge shared a calculation comparing the global crude oil prices in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure to the current prices.
She went on to illustrate that if the price of crude oil was 122 dollars per barrel in June 2022 and the price of one liter of fuel in Kenya was in the region of Ksh159, then the price of one liter of fuel in the country ought to have been in the region of Ksh89 now that the price of crude oil was at $69.
“If in early June 2022 when crude oil was going for $122 per barrel the pump price in Kenya was Ksh 159 per litre of petrol, how much should the same cost right now when crude oil is going for $69 per barrel?” Pauline Njoroge advanced.
However, her calculation was met with criticism from some people who poked holes in her inference.
In a statement, Ndii roped in Uhuru noting that the government under his tenure was “blowing holes through national finances” and propping up fake prosperity.
David Ndii debunks Pauline Njoroge’s maths
According to his statement, the fuel subsidies put in place during his tenure were meant to prop up a fake reality in the state of the economy and the value of Kenyan shilling.
As such, Ndii noted that the “party was over” to imply that it was time to face the consequences.
“Uhuru was blowing holes through national finances propping up fake prosperity. Sh100b+ fuel subsidies, $2.5b+ propping up shilling. Party over,” David Ndii replied.
Also Read: PS Charles Hinga Issues Apology After Online War with Pauline Njoroge
Mwango Capital, an economic commentary page, also weighed in on Pauline’s derivation pointing out that the formula used was too simplistic.
“While we agree that fuel prices should be lower, your maths is too simplistic in its formulation,” Mwango Capital stated.
“For one, global crude prices have no bearing on our fuel prices because we are an importer of oil.”
On his part, a user running a commentary account under the name Ephraim Njenga fans described the calculation by Pauline as one the ways politicians use to control the masses.
Also Read: EPRA Reduces Fuel Prices for December-January Cycle
“The business of zombification of the masses begins with simplification of complex issues. The political elite have perfected this art through their bloggers,” the user stated.
EPRA fails to meet expectations
The prices announced by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Thursday December 14, sparked questions from some quarters especially in light of the recent drop in global oil prices.
As per the review, Petrol will retail at Kshs.212.36 in Nairobi, while Diesel and Kerosene will retail at Ksh201.47 and 199.05 respectively between December 15 and January 14, 2024.
This represented a drop of Ksh5 for Petrol, Ksh2.00 for Diesel and Ksh4.01 for Kerosene.
Earlier in the month, Opposition Leader Raila Odinga had demanded a reduction of fuel prices by Ksh50 noting that oil prices had reduced significantly.
Pauline Njoroge Calls Out
Meanwhile, Pauline Njoroge slammed Dr Ndii for what she described as intimidation and shaming of women to silence them.
Ndii had in his statement, rereferred to the Jubilee operative a bimbo who was busy inspecting ceilings when Uhuru was messing up the country.
Bimbo wouldn’t know while she was inspecting ceilings Uhuru was blowing holes through national finances propping up fake prosperity. Sh100b+ fuel subsidies, $2.5b+ propping up shilling. Party over. I saw @ledamalekina wondering why Karen property prices are falling. Bado. https://t.co/ZZF7NDMBaE
— David Ndii (@DavidNdii) December 15, 2023
“When weak men can’t explain themselves or have a substantive response to an issue raised by a woman, they resort to sexual innuendos. It’s an age-old trick to intimidate and shame women, so as to shut them up.” She further argued that Ndii’s remarks amounted to sexual violence against women.
“I have seen David Ndii argue with men. He has never introduced bedroom matters into those arguments. It’s appalling that a presidential advisor, a public servant who is paid by taxpayers can result to this form of violence against women in order to deflect attention from the matters at hand.
