Kindiki warns opposition against inciting youth into violent protests over fuel prices

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has asked opposition leaders to stop inciting youth to engage in violent demonstrations, saying street protests are not a solution to the fuel crisis.

The DP said the crisis has been caused by the war in Iran, which has disrupted the global oil sector and resulted in higher importation costs.

“All countries in the world have been affected by the disruption and have reported higher fuel prices. Kenya is not an exception,” he said.

Speaking on Wednesday at Torongo in Eldama Ravine Constituency after inspecting ongoing development projects, Prof. Kindiki said it was disingenuous for the opposition to apportion blame for a crisis that Kenya has no role in.

The Deputy President inspected the ongoing Esageri ESP Market and Torongo-Mosomboriet Road project and commissioned the Ibobor Last Mile Electricity Supply Project before addressing residents at Torongo shopping centre.

He said the government had acted swiftly by instituting several interventions to mitigate the situation and cushion Kenyans from higher prices.

“Nobody should incite the people of Kenya to break the law or destroy their country because the solution to the fuel challenge is in the interventions which the government has already instituted,” Kindiki said.

Among the measures announced by the government are the reduction of VAT on fuel from 16 per cent to 8 per cent and the release of Ksh.6.2 billion to stabilise prices.

The second-in-command accused political opponents of exploiting the crisis without offering meaningful solutions.

“We don’t want people who have run out of ideas after squandering their time in office to incite young people to destroy their country. We cannot allow lawlessness in our country,” he said.

He also challenged opposition leaders to have their own children participate in the protests they are calling for.

“I am asking our young people not to fall prey to incitement by old people who are lying to you to engage in violent acts yet their children are not participating. Those calling for demonstrations must ensure their children are at the forefront,” he said.

At the same time, Kindiki said ongoing development projects in Baringo County were being fast-tracked to ensure timely completion.

He said the county has been allocated Ksh.32 billion for the construction of 854 kilometres of tarmac roads, including the Timboroa–Eldama Ravine road, which has already commenced. Baringo has also received Ksh.22 billion for modern markets, hostels and affordable housing projects.

Electricity connectivity has also been boosted through an allocation of Ksh.712 million aimed at connecting 4,000 additional households.

“We are focused on development. We do not have time for useless engagements,” Kindiki said, while assuring residents that the projects would be completed on time.