Silverio Omari
National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Secretary General Canon Chris Kinyanjui has accused the government of deliberately exacerbating public discontent through its actions. In a panel interview on Daybreak, Kinyanjui questioned the rationale behind former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s decision to increase the Road Maintenance Levy from Ksh.18 per litre to Ksh.25 per litre, despite his prior commitment to maintain the existing rate.
Kinyanjui argued that such actions undermine the government’s efforts to restore public trust. “We have a trust deficit. Our call to this government is to rebuild the trust they have lost over the past two years. Former CS Transport stated that the government would not raise the fuel levy, yet shortly after, a Gazette notice announced the increase. How can the public be expected to trust such statements?” he questioned.
Kinyanjui also expressed concerns about why President William Ruto’s administration bypassed the proper process for increasing the fuel levy, particularly amidst ongoing Gen Z protests.
“The president addresses the issue of the increase, but there is a lack of transparency from the state. While the increase may be necessary, there is a required process that seems to have been ignored,” he said. “Increasing taxes after recent uproar over the Finance Bill feels like adding insult to injury. It appears as though the state is deliberately provoking the people, which is not how a government should operate.”
The funds from the Road Maintenance Levy are intended for the development and maintenance of the country’s road network. In early July 2024, former CS Murkomen suggested that the government would seek alternative methods to fund road maintenance. However, a few days later, the levy was increased, leading to public outcry over the potential rise in the cost of living.
In response to these concerns, President Ruto assured the public that the fuel levy would not impact pump prices. “We have ensured that the fuel levy will not affect the cost of fuel at the pump. We have secured sufficient resources to address road maintenance and improve transport infrastructure without burdening Kenyans,” Ruto stated during a visit to Nakuru County on July 15.
Dj Vnyash
