Murkomen Shocker & Politics of Fuel

Hello and welcome to the EPRA edition of the Evening Brief where we are practically leaving our cars at home now.

As the driving population continues to grapple with whether to sell their cars, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is advocating for an increase in fuel by Ksh5. If effected, Kenyans will be forced to pay Ksh222 or higher at the pump.

Right now, petrol price is pegged at Ksh217.36 while diesel and kerosene retail at Ksh203.47 and Ksh203.06 respectively.

In an early morning interview, Murkomen justified that the additional levy should fall under the Road Maintenance Levy to help maintain the 5,000 roads already constructed. Right now, the levy is charged at Ksh18 per litre of petrol and it is expected to increase to Ksh23.

"There are 5,000 kilometres of roads constructed and not maintained. These are orphaned roads as you'll find they are full of potholes since they are not maintained," he stated.?

"Many of the contractors come to my office crying. Either the banks are selling their houses, or some are admitted to hospitals. People are suffering. We then have to negotiate with the banks to give them time to complete the payment."

If approved, the CS argues that it will help settle a Ksh700 billion debt the state owes to Chinese road contractors, some of whom have abandoned their projects altogether.

The increase, however, will be a mockery of the recommendation made by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) which called for the reduction of the levy by Ksh5. The opposition has for a long time called for a reduction in fuel prices to make the cost of living bearable.

EPRA is expected to announce the new fuel prices for the holiday, when travel plans are at their peak, later on Thursday.

Here are 5 other stories keeping us engaged;

1. Free to Go: Four years since the witch hunt against former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich commenced, the case against him and eight others have collapsed. The public, however, lost Ksh63 billion in the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal
2. More Kenyans will lose their jobs in 2024 according to a survey carried out on 1,000 CEOs. Don't believe us? CBK can attest to that.
3. After ranking among the five worst-performing CSs, a close Ruto ally now wants Energy CS Davis Chirchir and his Treasury counterpart Prof. Njuguna Ndung'u fired.
4. Cursed Spot: A 66-seater bus crashes at Fort Tenan in Londiani leading to the injury of 40 people. Police report lays the blame on a private driver in a personal car.
5. Cracks on the Hill: President Ruto's economic advisor David Ndii, who makes sly attacks on the regime's economic policies, flagged a report from the Presidential Communication Service (PCS).

This newsletter was written by Derrick kubasu and edited by Brian Muuo

Washington Mito contributed to the content