This opinion feature on the persistent fuel shortage in Kenya was written and first published by Mohammed Hersi: This is no longer a “small hitch”.
It qualifies to be a national crisis if NOT a national disaster. On the flipside have you noticed that the campaigns caravans have all gone silent “Hakuna mafuta”.
Never ever seen anything like this …this is stuff we see on news affecting other countries. Even Mombasa gateway to East Africa has not been spared, this is image on Links road Nyali.
Fact is that international oil prices have been on the rise and another fact is that we pay anything close to 50% in various taxes.
Ideally the Petroleum regulatory levy fund would have helped but that curve is too steep and any subsidy is NOT sustainable.
If the oil marketers are not getting compensated what makes you think they will continue to supply and sell fuel. No one is in business as charity, we may call it hoarding or whatever we may something is totally wrong somewhere.
Way forward:
- If GOK is not able to pay the subsidy then first thing first let market rate prevail and EPRA should announce the new rates quickly, we don’t have to wait for 14th.
- GOK should seriously consider to reduce the taxes currently as many as 9 from excise duty, road maintenance, petroleum development, petroleum regulatory etc that works up close to 50% of the final price we pay.
There is no point to levy taxes then talk of giving back through subsidy and when you need that sinking fund called subsidy it is not available. Its pointless to have it in the first place.
Government says Kenyan motorists to blame for fuel shortage
As things stand now, things ain’t looking good at all , when I see an ambulance in fact 3 in the queue for fuel then something has terribly gone wrong somewhere and leadership is about stepping forward and taking charge. Lee Iacocca in his book asked ” Where have all the leaders gone”
Ultimatums and pressers won’t help.
We rather pay the market price of Sh. 167 for a liter and get fuel without queuing and wasting a lot of man hours .
First thing first please announce new rates without subsidy then rest will follow.
It’s hard to remain an optimist when blame game happens on a crucial matter like this.
