Fuel shortage orchestrated by Uhuru, corporate companies - Ruto
Deputy President William Ruto on Monday, April 4, 2022, accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of using corporate companies to create a fuel shortage in the country.
In a press conference at his Karen Residence, the second in command noted that Auditor General Nancy Gathungu had flagged the illegal diversion of public funds to the tune of billions to private entities and other state agencies, hence causing the artificial fuel shortage.
The deputy president further pointed out that Gathungu had flagged the irregular petroleum importation practices by a number of oil marketers.
[caption id="attachment_16271" align="alignnone" width="960"]
File image of motorists queueing at a filling station. |Courtesy| Nation|[/caption]
"The Auditor-General has already raised questions on the irregular and illegal diversion of these consumer protection funds to State agencies and unnamed private entities.
"She has also decried abuse on the petroleum import system in favour of some preferred and politically connected oil marketers, deliberately depriving Kenyans of the subsidy mechanism," the DP lamented.
DP Ruto further stated that a number of government officials have interests in the oil business, which is a conflict of interest.
He called upon the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to reveal the import quota allocated to oil marketers in the last year and list the marketers by name.
"Can the treasury also confirm or deny that the diversion of funds has been used in debt servicing and infrastructure development without the approval of the National Assembly?"
"Why hasn't there been any subsidy allocation in the budget in the last three years? We ask, where is the Ksh39 billion Petroleum Development Levy Fund meant for the fuel subsidy programme?" he questioned
DP Ruto further alleged that some government officials had deliberately frustrated the passing of the Petroleum Products Tax and Levies Amendment Bill, which seeks to reduce the levies imposed on fuel that pushes the pump price to nearly double the landing costs.
"All the roadblocks and back and forth be removed so that this bill can be passed as a matter of national emergency. This bill seeks to reduce the huge levies on petroleum products," he noted.
His statement came a few minutes after Uhuru signed into law the Supplementary Budget Amendment bill that unlocked Ksh139.7 billion to be used to meet financial needs in various sectors.
The government allocated Ksh34.4 billion to a fuel stabilization programme to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of fuel prices.
File image of motorists queueing at a filling station. |Courtesy| Nation|[/caption]
"The Auditor-General has already raised questions on the irregular and illegal diversion of these consumer protection funds to State agencies and unnamed private entities.
"She has also decried abuse on the petroleum import system in favour of some preferred and politically connected oil marketers, deliberately depriving Kenyans of the subsidy mechanism," the DP lamented.
DP Ruto further stated that a number of government officials have interests in the oil business, which is a conflict of interest.
He called upon the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to reveal the import quota allocated to oil marketers in the last year and list the marketers by name.
"Can the treasury also confirm or deny that the diversion of funds has been used in debt servicing and infrastructure development without the approval of the National Assembly?"
"Why hasn't there been any subsidy allocation in the budget in the last three years? We ask, where is the Ksh39 billion Petroleum Development Levy Fund meant for the fuel subsidy programme?" he questioned
DP Ruto further alleged that some government officials had deliberately frustrated the passing of the Petroleum Products Tax and Levies Amendment Bill, which seeks to reduce the levies imposed on fuel that pushes the pump price to nearly double the landing costs.
"All the roadblocks and back and forth be removed so that this bill can be passed as a matter of national emergency. This bill seeks to reduce the huge levies on petroleum products," he noted.
His statement came a few minutes after Uhuru signed into law the Supplementary Budget Amendment bill that unlocked Ksh139.7 billion to be used to meet financial needs in various sectors.
The government allocated Ksh34.4 billion to a fuel stabilization programme to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of fuel prices. What's Your Reaction?
