Deputy president Kithure Kindiki on May 19 /HANDOUT
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has praised public service vehicle operators and transport stakeholders for calling off the planned nationwide fuel strike, saying the move demonstrated patriotism and commitment to protecting the country’s stability.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kindiki said the decision by transport operators to suspend the industrial action and allow room for dialogue was commendable.
“We applaud the spirit of patriotism exhibited by the Public Service Vehicles operators and other stakeholders who rely on petroleum products to run their businesses,” he said.
“Calling off the strike and giving room for dialogue is commendable. It is putting our country first.”
The Deputy President assured Kenyans that the government was taking measures to cushion citizens from the impact of rising fuel prices, which have sparked protests and disruption in parts of the country in recent days.
Kindiki said the government had already implemented several interventions aimed at easing the burden on consumers and businesses.
“We assure all Kenyans and stakeholders that we will do everything possible to cushion wananchi from the effects of high fuel costs,” he said.
He pointed to the reduction of Value Added Tax on petroleum products from 16 per cent to eight per cent as one of the measures already taken.
Kindiki also said the government had invested more than Sh12 billion in subsidies and recently reduced the price of diesel by Sh10.
“We have taken measures, including lowering VAT on petroleum products from 16 per cent to eight per cent, invested over Sh12 billion in subsidies and further reduced the price of diesel by Sh10 last night,” he said.
His remarks come after protests linked to high fuel prices erupted in several parts of the country, where demonstrators clashed with police, roads were barricaded and property damaged.
The Deputy President condemned incidents of violence witnessed during the demonstrations, warning that destruction of property and attacks on motorists posed a threat to national security.
“We have many problems in our country, present and future, and we must be ready to resolve them all. However, violence cannot be used to generate solutions to national issues,” Kindiki said.
“Looting of public and private property, arson, attacking innocent motorists and vandalising property is barbaric and a serious threat to national security.”
Transport operators had earlier threatened a nationwide shutdown over rising fuel prices before suspending the action following an agreement with government officials on Tuesday afternoon.
