National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi/FILENational Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government’s handling of the ongoing fuel crisis, saying Kenyans should appreciate efforts being made to ensure a steady supply of fuel.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV Kenya on Monday, Mbadi said Kenya was among countries that had managed to maintain fuel availability despite the global turmoil affecting oil markets.
“There are things that this government has done that have to be appreciated. The government has ensureda continuouss supply of fuel up-to-date," Mbadi said.
The Treasury CS compared Kenya’s situation with that of other countries that have resorted to fuel rationing and emergency measures following the sharp rise in global oil prices
“You go to Burundi today and look at the decision that they have taken. One cannot take more than 30 litres of fuel per week,” he said.
“There are some countries where they have told staff to work from home. People are taking desperate measures at this time because we are in desperate times.”
Mbadi noted that even developed economies such as the United States had not been spared by the fuel crisis despite being major producers and exporters of oil.
“Look at the US, which is a net exporter of fuel; prices have shot up 80 per cent higher,” he said.
The CS further defended taxes and levies imposed on fuel products, arguing that the charges were necessary to support Kenya’s development agenda and sustain government programmes.
“The levies and taxes are meant to support the development agenda of our economy,” Mbadi stated.
His remarks came amid growing public anger over soaring fuel prices that have triggered a nationwide matatu strike and disrupted transport services across the country.
Earlier in the day, speaking during an interview with NTV Kenya, Mbadi termed the ongoing strike by matatu operators unnecessary, even as he acknowledged the pain high fuel prices were causing ordinary Kenyans and businesses.
“In my view, the strike is completely uncalled for even though the prices of fuel have gone up,” Mbadi said.
“My concern is that we are trying to solve a global problem, applying domestic means, which is not appropriate.”
The Treasury CS linked the fuel price increase to the ongoing conflict involving Iran in the Middle East, saying the crisis had disrupted global oil supply chains and negatively affected economies worldwide, including Kenya.
“We hope the Iran war will stop quickly. It is a war we have not caused and we do not have the ability to stop it, but it has hit our economy,” Mbadi said.
“This is a matter we are watching closely as a government and we will be making decisions which are informed and not emotional. It is not time to make emotional decisions. We need to understand why these prices have gone up.”
