President William Ruto on Monday explained the reasoning behind increasing the Road Maintenance Levy from Ksh18 to Ksh25 despite public opposition against such a move.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
While speaking in Nakuru County, Ruto emphasised that the increase would not affect the cost of fuel, which has a ripple effect on the cost of living.
“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.
The Head of State added that it was necessary to increase the levy to increase the revenue for maintaining roads across the country. He assured Kenyans that his administration was focused on easing the cost of living burden.
He further added that under his leadership, the government was working to ensure each 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 addressing the residents, the Head of State recountedall the government had achieved during his tenure including lower maize flour prices. He added that there was more to come especially for coffee and tea farmers in the country.
Ruto’s remarks came a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the levy
but reduced the fuel cost by Ksh1, Ksh1.50 and Ksh1.30 for a litre of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene respectively.
This broughtthe fuel prices to Ksh188.84 for a litre of petrol, Ksh171.6 for a litre of diesel and Ksh161.75 for a litre of Kerosene in Nairobi.
Notably, the Road Maintenance Levy was among the controversial proposals of the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024. Kenyans and some leaders opposed the increase arguing that it would burden a majority of the citizens.
Former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Mukromen last week had also assuredthat the ministry in liaison with the Kenya Roads Board would find ways to ensure the increase of the levy would not affect the cost of fuel…CONTINUE READING>>
