Kenya’s Ruto Defends EPRA After Road Levy Increase Despite Lack Of Public Participation
President William Ruto explained on Monday why he increased the Road Maintenance Levy from Ksh18 to Ksh25, despite public opposition.
While speaking in Nakuru County, Ruto emphasised that the increase would not affect fuel prices, which have a knock-on effect on living costs.
“As a government, we have done a good thing, we have made sure that on the issue of Fuel Levy, we have gotten enough resources to cater for all the roads that need attention and those that have stalled to enhance transport.”
“We have also ensured that the matter of fuel levy does not affect Kenyans. The price at the pump continues to go down,” President Ruto remarked.
We have done a good job as a government and made sure that we get more money through fuel levy – William Ruto pic.twitter.com/Up7cBwNFeD
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) July 15, 2024
The Head of State went on to say that increasing the levy was necessary to raise revenue for road maintenance across the country.
He reassured Kenyans that his administration was committed to reducing the cost of living.
He also stated that, under his leadership, the government was working to ensure that every Kenyan had access to safe and well-maintained roads.
“Whatever we are doing in building new roads, and repairing existing roads does not translate to more money being paid by Kenyans,” he reassured.
While speaking to the residents, the Head of State outlined everything the government had accomplished during his tenure, including lower maize flour prices.
He added that there would be more to come, particularly for the country’s coffee and tea farmers.
Ruto’s remarks came a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raised the levy while lowering fuel prices by Ksh1, Ksh1.50, and Ksh1.30 per litre of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene, respectively.
In accordance with Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019, Legal Notice No. 196 of 2010 and Legal Notice No. 26 of 2012, we have calculated the maximum retail prices of petroleum products, which will be in force from 15th July 2024 to 14th August 2024.^DC pic.twitter.com/YKsh0IoYhs
— Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (@EPRA_Ke) July 14, 2024
Fuel prices in Nairobi now stand at Ksh188.84 per litre of petrol, Ksh171.6 per litre of diesel, and Ksh161.75 per litre of kerosene.
Notably, the Road Maintenance Levy was one of the contentious proposals in the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.
Kenyans and some leaders opposed the increase, claiming it would burden the majority of citizens.
Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Mukromen assured last week that the ministry, in collaboration with the Kenya Roads Board, would find ways to ensure that the levy increase did not affect fuel prices.
Kenya’s Ruto Defends EPRA After Road Levy Increase Despite Lack Of Public Participation
