Leader of Majority in the Senate Aaron Cheruiyot has downplayed reports stating that Kenya Kwanza leaders pressured President William Ruto to reinstate fuel subsidies, which were popular during former head of state Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 8, Cheruiyot refuted the widespread reports that the lawmakers pushed for a review of the cost of living during a meeting at the State House on Tuesday, November 7.
According to him, some of the reports published by the media were not factual as he was not privy to such a discussion despite his attendance.
“Which PG (parliamentary group) is the Kenyan Media reporting on?” he posed.
“Cannot be the one we attended at State House on Tuesday. Kenya Kwanza MPs are not strangers into Kenya,” he added.
He went on to state that Kenya Kwanza MPs were privy to the challenges facing Kenyan and efforts by the government to reach a solution going into the meeting.
According to the Kericho Senator, the President has been clear on the situation facing Kenyan and outlined the strategy to solve the prevailing financial constraints facing Kenya.
“They know how we found ourselves in the mess we are in. The president was clear, there are no easy options, the present pain is for future gain.”
His statement came after several reports indicating that the Kenya Kwanza MPs demanded for action from the government to address the cost of fuel, among other issues compounding the high cost of living experienced by Kenyans.
Ruto hosts PG meeting
On Tuesday, November 7, President Ruto hosted Kenya Kwanza legislators for a Parliamentary Group meeting at State House, Nairobi.
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Also Read: Kenyans Furious as Tanzania Reduces Fuel Prices
Among leaders present included Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, leaders of majority in both houses and MPs elected under parties in the coalition.
While speculations as to what was the subject of the meeting were rife, the coalition did not divulge the details agreed or discussed.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kiharu MP and close Ruto ally Ndindi Nyoro had intimated that fuel prices were part of the items discussed in the meeting.
Debate as Tanzania reduces fuel prices
The meeting held days to the State of the Nation address slated to take place on Thursday, November 9, came on the back of jitters sparked by an announcement that fuel prices could increase further.
In an interview on Monday, Energy CS Davis Chirchir had hinted at a possible increment of fuel prices citing global oil prices and other external shocks.
Also Read: Ruto’s Bottom-Up Agenda Suffers in New Budget Cuts
However, his statement came under scrutiny with a section of Kenyans curious about why his position contradicted another one published by the Central Bank stating that global oil prices were falling.
Whether the President will address the question about fuel increment in his State of the Nation address remains a matter of wait and see.
Meanwhile, pressure has been building for the government to review fuel prices especially after reports that Tanzania was planning to reduce fuel prices.
After taking over from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto abolished fuel subsidies, saying it was unsustainable.
