By Ongaga Ongaga
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called for urgent intervention to cushion Kenyans from soaring fuel prices and the crippling nationwide transport strike that disrupted movement across the country on Monday.
In a statement shared on his social media platforms, Maraga blamed what he termed “bad governance” for the paralysis in the transport sector, saying ordinary citizens were unfairly carrying the burden of the economic crisis.
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“I wish to express my solidarity with Kenyans who have to bear the burden of bad governance that has led to the paralysis of the transport sector today,” Maraga said.
The former Chief Justice acknowledged that the ongoing global tensions involving Iran had contributed to the fuel crisis but argued that responsible governments across the world were taking deliberate measures to shield citizens from rising living costs.
“Every responsible government is taking steps to cushion their citizens from the high cost of living,” he said while urging Parliament to reconvene immediately and implement emergency fuel tax reforms.
Maraga proposed the immediate exemption of all fuel products from VAT, the temporary suspension of fuel levies and the redirection of public funds allegedly lost through corruption to help stabilize fuel prices.
“As a first step, Parliament should convene immediately to exempt all fuel products from VAT, temporarily remove all fuel levies to stabilise fuel prices and redirect more resources being squandered through budgeted corruption to alleviate the energy crisis,” he stated.
His remarks came as the nationwide transport strike entered full force, with matatus, buses, truckers and boda boda operators withdrawing services in protest against soaring fuel costs.
The strike left thousands of commuters stranded in Nairobi and other major towns, with many forced to walk long distances to work.
The latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) saw Super Petrol rise by Sh16.65 per litre and Diesel by Sh46.29, triggering outrage among transport operators and consumers.
