Deputy president William Ruto has come out to defend President Uhuru Kenyatta over increased prices of fuel which has sparked uproar.
In the latest price review by the Energy and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Tuesday September 14th, the prices of a litre of petrol, diesel and kerosene increased by Ksh7.58, Ksh7.94 and Ksh12.97 respectively.
A litre of petrol in Nairobi is now retailing at Ksh134.72, Ksh115.60 for diesel while a litre of kerosene goes for Ksh110.82.
The sharp rise in fuel prices announced on Tuesday sparked uproar and protests across the country as Kenyans lament about the increased cost of living.
Industry players have warned Kenyans to expect the cost of goods, transport and electricity to rise as they move to pass operational expenses to consumers.
William Ruto defended President Uhuru over the fuel price hike in a new rare since the fallout of their political relationship.
Speaking in a meeting with delegates from Kandara constituency in his official residence in Karen Nairobi, Ruto said Uhuru is not the one to be blamed over the recent hike in fuel prices in the country.
The deputy president blamed the people who have been entitled to run that sector for the sharp rise in fuel prices.
He called upon those responsible to relook upon their decisions and save Kenyans from the high rate of inflation and stop failing the government, by painting a bad picture to it as being an oppressive regime to it’s own people who are already living in hard economic times.
“Tuko katika hali ngumu katika taifa letu la Kenya. Bei ya mafuta ndo hio imefika 135. Mimi nataka niwaulize wale walipatiwa majukumu na rais, subcommittee ya cabinet ya serikali yetu waketi chini kwa njia ya dharura ndo tujue tunaenda vipi ndo tupunguze haya mambo ambayo yanazidi kuwagandamiza Wakenya,” said Ruto.
He added that;
“There are people who have been assigned responsibilities by the president. It is time for them now to assume those responsibilities provide advice to government so that the right decisions can be made to manage the current situation where the prices of fuel are going up.”
Related: Thika Highway Completely Blocked By Motorists Protesting Fuel Hike
