MP Koech urges swift action to avert planned protests

Belgut MP Nelson Koech has called on leaders across the political divide to urgently address the rising cost of fuel, warning that failure to act could trigger widespread demonstrations.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Koech said the planned protests over high fuel prices and the escalating cost of living should be taken seriously, noting that government action is needed immediately to ease public anger.

“Today, we are talking about the possibility of having a demonstration. That is something very serious,” Koech said.

He cautioned that the situation could escalate if leaders do not move quickly to resolve the economic pressures facing citizens, especially in the transport and energy sectors.

“You do not want to have a situation where the public is demonstrating against the government because of mistakes of certain individuals. That is why we must correct it. We have to make sure that we lower the prices of fuel,” he added.

The legislator stressed that Parliament and the Executive have the tools necessary to intervene, including budgetary adjustments that could cushion ordinary Kenyans from further hardship.

“If all of us combine our minds, this is our country and then as MPs and people in leadership we can find a way out. We know the budget, we know the supplementary budget, what is it that we can adjust to make sure the common man is cushioned,” Koech said.

His remarks come amid growing public anger following a sharp revision by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which saw prices rise by as much as Sh40 per litre in a single review cycle.

In response to the outcry, the government reduced value-added tax on fuel from 13 percent to 8 per cent, a move that slightly eased prices but failed to fully address public concerns.

President William Ruto has previously defended the initial price increases, attributing them to global economic pressures and geopolitical instability.

“As we continue to go into the future, we will continue to manage situations. There are situations like what is happening in the Middle East that affect transport routes, logistics routes and escalating prices,” Ruto said.

He explained that international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, have disrupted global shipping and supply chains, leading to increased transport and logistics costs that directly impact fuel prices in Kenya.

The President made the remarks following widespread public uproar after fuel prices surged past the Sh200 mark.

Meanwhile, a coalition of Gen Z activists and opposition-linked groups has announced plans for nationwide demonstrations scheduled for April 21.

The protests are aimed at pushing for further reductions in fuel prices and addressing the broader cost of living.