We must strike a balance in managing fuel costs and delivery of key services for economic stability-DP Kindiki

The DP said a balance must be achieved between managing fuel prices and delivery of other critical services key to the nation’s development and stability.

“We must strike a balance between the need for us to manage the cost of living and funding infrastructural development and other economic enablers that will make our country grow,” DP stated.

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon when he inspected the ongoing construction of Miseleni-Mwala Road in Mwala Constituency, Machakos County, Prof. Kindiki urged Kenyans to bear with the government as it seeks a suitable solution to the fuel crisis occasioned by the Iran war.

“The taxes you pay are for funding roads, water, electricity connection, school capitation but we will work hard to make necessary adjustments to protect mwananchi from tougher economic times,” DP assured.

The Second in Command said the administration has reduced VAT on fuel from 16 percent to 8 percent and released billions of shillings to manage the fuel costs revealing that it would have been worse without the measures.

“The government is doing everything possible to ensure we manage the fuel prices. We have already reduced the VAT on fuel. We have released 13 billion shillings to reduce the costs. If we had not implemented these measures the prices would have gone beyond 300 shillings per litre,” DP noted.

The Deputy President warned against criminalities like witnessed during the fuel protests saying such are unacceptable and would not solve anything.

“You can disagree with the government but do it peacefully. Looting and property destruction will not bring the prices down. This is only possible through negotiations and implementation of measures as we have already done,” he said.

On development, Prof. Kindiki said the government is hastening completion of development projects in Ukambani region.

He said the 10km Miseleni-Mwala Road, costing 622 million shillings, is progressing as planned as is the 21km Kivandini-Miseleni Road being done at 1.2 billion shillings. Kangundo-Mwala Road is also underway and has been allocated 1.4 billion shillings.

The construction of Mwala Bulk Water project that will benefit thousands of residents in Matungulu and Mwala constituencies is being speeded up after it was allocated 1.7 billion shillings.

“We do not just come here for idle talk like our opponents. We are rolling out development projects and we will do more because we are keen to develop every part of the country,” DP said.