Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria now says he is apologetic after his remarks indicating that fuel prices would go higher.
Kuria, in a previous statement, indicated that crude oil prices had gone up, asking Kenyans complaining about the price of fuel to drill their own boreholes.
“How will camping on Twitter from morning to evening help you? I’m asking the youths not to be into that life, if you keep lamenting about the fuel prices why not drill your own borehole Crude oil has increased in prices worldwide,” Kuria said on Saturday, September 16.
On Friday, September 15, 2023, Kuria warned that the prices would continue to rise by at least Ksh10 every month until February.
“Global Crude Prices are on an upward trajectory. For planning purposes expect pump prices to go up by Ksh 10 every month till February,” Kuria wrote on Friday, September 15.
However, in a turnaround move, Kuria now says that he has been informed that fuel prices will go down, hence the need to apologise.
In what looked like a sarcastic move against Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, Kuria took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue his apology in the wee hours of Wednesday, September 20.
“Dear Kenyans, on Friday 15th September I made some comments indicating that the price of fuel is likely to go up in the coming months owing to global dynamics. I have since been advised by people like Dr Boni Khalwale and his master that the statement was incorrect, insensitive and arrogant. I am made to now understand that the price will come down. I apologise profusely since to err is human,” Kuria stated.
Sack Kuria
On Sunday, September 17, 2023, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale asked President William Ruto to sack Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and his Energy counterpart Davis Chirchir.
Khalwale accused the two CSs of “putting the President in trouble” by increasing fuel prices.
“President Ruto, I want to tell you today from Kakamega, the people you have given jobs have put you in trouble. The Minister for Trade and Energy and your economic advisors. They must tell us what they meant by that they are buying fuel from government to government,” Khawale said.
“President Ruto, sack these people otherwise they are giving your government a bad image.”
Khalwale also faulted the CSs over their public utterances since the fuel prices were increased, which seemed to rubbish the public outcry.
In response to Kuria’s statements, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned against arrogance on the part of public officers while responding to concerns by Kenyans.
“I would like to remind them that although the people of Kenya did not employ them directly, they decisively elected H.E. President William Ruto, who in turn appointed them Cabinet Secretaries and Advisors. And hence by virtue of this, they are employed by Kenyans,” Gachagua stated.
“You do not address your employer with arrogance. Do so with humility and decorum. Kenyans, like the rest of the world, are going through difficult economic times and leaders should address them with sensitivity and empathy.”
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on his part hinted at a possible Cabinet reshuffle, warning that it was not beyond the President to do so when he feels the right is time.
“The President is clear about one thing, this administration is about efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery to the people,” said Mudavadi in a statement.
“The moment any appointee steps out of line or acts in a manner that is inconsistent with this mantra, it is not beyond the President to make changes in senior ranks of the Executive. At an appropriate time and in his wisdom, the President could make such changes.”
