Kenya Kwanza MPs protest high cost of living

Kenya Kwanza lawmakers yesterday took the war against high cost of living to President William Ruto’s doorstep, demanding that the government urgently deals with the issue before it spirals out of control.

The MPs who spoke during a parliamentary group meeting convened by the President at State House Nairobi said the situation was getting out of hand and demanded that the government comes up with concrete measures such as reducing taxes to lower the cost of pump prices.

Many of the MPs who spoke to People Daily on condition of anonymity, for fear or reprisals from the State, revealed that the issue of the high cost of living was so stormy that the meeting resolved to revisit it next week in a follow-up meeting in order to deal with it conclusively.

“The issue of cost of living was hot because members wanted answers. And because we could not conclude it, we agreed to meet next week though I don’t know the exact date,” said one of the MPs present at the meeting.

Their complaints came hours after Energy Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir said that the cost of pump prices could surge to Sh300 per litre due to the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

At the moment, Super Petrol is retailing at Sh217.36 in Nairobi after it increased by Sh5.72 a litre, diesel is retailing at Sh205.47 after it increased by Sh4.48 while kerosene is retailing at Sh205.06.

Chirchir said:”We can’t do much on the international prices of petroleum. Because of the Hamas and Israeli war, international prices could go up to USD150 (per barrel). That would literally mean our products going to a high of Sh300 per litre at the pump. We hope it doesn’t get there.”

Status quo
Yesterday, MPs complained that they were becoming unpopular with their constituents due to the high petrol prices.

The lawmakers told Ruto that it had become hard for them to even convene meetings and engage their people due to the current situation.

“Yes, indeed we told him about this matter and even pleaded with him to allow a review of the taxes so that we can deal with this matter,” said another MP.

But despite the pressure from members, Ruto is said to have remained adamant that the status quo remains.

It was understood that Ruto told the members that they should not be overly concerned about losing their popularity at this point in time, saying they had enough time to recover with the next general election four years away.

Said another MP: “The President was very candid that this is not the time to be popular and that when the right time comes, he will go Kenyans to ask them for their votes.”

And in a message posted on his social media accounts, Ruto confirmed that he met with over 200 Kenya Kwanza MPs as “Parliament provides the legal foundation for the change required to realize our development agenda.”

While lauding the bi-cameral parliament for passing the Finance Act and the four laws that will anchor the Universal Health Care programme and the amendments to Privatisation Act, Ruto told the lawmakers to speed up the enactment of crucial bills that are pending before them.

Extra classrooms

He cited the conflict-of-interest bill, the anti-money laundering, anti-terrorism financing, new regulations on public debt management, and the petition on sending the Kenyan mission to Haiti.

Read the message: “Hosted more than 200 members of the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting at State House Nairobi.  

The forum also discussed the role the National Government Constituency Development Fund will play in tree planting and environmental conservation in general, the setting up of digital hubs in every ward and the construction of extra classrooms in Junior School.”

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was present at the meeting, said Parliament’s role is important as it is driving the development agenda of Ruto’s administration.

Apart from the issue of high cost of living, the issue of setting up digital hubs, the upcoming State of the Nation address and the impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza were also discussed.
On ICT hubs, the lawmakers insisted that they do not have adequate funds to support this initiative.
This came after the MPs were informed that the hubs will be supported by allocations from National Government Constituency Fund (NG-CDF).

Ruto is said to have told MPs to be present during the State of the Nation address scheduled to take place tomorrow.

State of the Nation

During this address, Ruto is expected to report on all measures taken and progress achieved in the realization of the national values referred to in Article 10 as well as submit a report for debate to the two Houses of Parliament outlining the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the Republic.

He is also expected to publish the details of these measures and progress in the Gazette.
This will be the second time that Ruto will be addressing Parliament as the President since his election in August last year.

The State of the Nation Address is delivered in accordance with Article 132 (1) of the Constitution which provides for the President to address a special sitting of Parliament once every year where he is expected to report on all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realization of the national values.
On the impeachment of Governor Mwangaza, it was understood that senators were given a free hand to make a decision on it based on the evidence tabled before them with the government said it had no interest in the matter.

Mwangaza, who is currently facing the senators, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.