Kenya has recently witnessed a severe fuel scarcity across the country which has resulted in skyrocketing fuel prices, huge lines at gas stations and a ripple effect of higher pricing for other goods and services such as transportation.
Members of Parliament and Senators have so far traded barbs over fuel crisis in a heated debate on the Floor, the legislators took on each other in bare-knuckle fighting revealing the deep animosity between them.
In what appeared to be a well-coordinated scheme, the allies of the Deputy President William Ruto stormed the two Houses, blaming the President for the crisis and demanding an explanation on how the funds allocated and approved in the budget to stabilise the fuel prices had been expended.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula who touched the raw nerve, accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of being an uncaring leader who is presiding over an irresponsible government, going further to challenge him to resign.
“If this was a caring and democratic government, President Kenyatta should tender his resignation and pass leadership to those who can lead the country,” said Wetang’ula, as he demanded an explanation on why the fuel subsidy funds accumulated to Sh34 billion.
“The amount of money owed to oil marketers in this country is in excess of 34 billion. What exactly happened? Wetang’ula asked.
“Is this the money that was used on a misadventure called BBI? Is this the money that is being used to fund politically correct activities in the country? Or is this the money that has been rightly stolen?” he posed.
Deputy Majority Leader Senator Fatuma Dullo challenged Wetang’ula to provide evidence for his allegations that Sh34 billion owed to oil marketers was used to finance the collapsed BBI and its campaign.
“It’s not guesswork. Senator Wetang’ula, kindly provides evidence to that effect,” Senator Dullo demanded.
“Can you provide evidence? Then we can believe you that the money was actually taken to campaign or BBI. Do not mislead Kenyans,” the Isiolo Senator said.
However, allies of the President did not take the criticism lightly and while they argued that the fuel shortage is a sensitive national issue, they discounted the manner in which the Bungoma senator had approached it accusing him of playing politics.
Deputy Majority Leader Fatuma Dullo and Migori Senator Ochilo Ayacko laughed off the call for the President to quit, saying, the blame must go to Parliament for having passed the Finance Bill in 2019 that introduced an eight per cent VAT on fuel and petroleum products.
In the National Assembly, MPs blamed the government for the shortage even as they demanded answers from the Petroleum ministry.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale demanded that the State provide the number of licensed oil marketers and how much has been collected as fuel levy since September, last year.
“You can’t ask the President to resign,” said Dullo, who blamed Ruto and his allies of exploiting every small challenge the Jubilee government has confronted of late as a boost to their election campaign.