BY DPCS
The government is exploring every necessary measure to bring down the cost of fuel following the spike caused by the war in Iran that has disrupted global fuel supply, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has assured.
Prof. Kindiki said the government has already reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel from 16 percent to 8 percent and released Ksh 5 billion to subsidize the prices, promising further action to cushion Kenyans from costly oil products.
Why fuel prices have increased in Kenya
“The cost of fuel, its insurance and shipping has shot up significantly because of the war in Iran. We are implementing every necessary action to stabilize fuel prices. The VAT has come down from 16 to 8 percent. We are looking at other options to cushion Kenyans from higher cost of fuel. We do not want Kenyans to suffer,” DP said.
The Deputy President spoke on Friday, May 15, 2026, when he inspected ongoing development projects in South Imenti Constituency in Meru County.
Prof. Kindiki checked the progress of Nkubu-Rubiri-Kamurita Road which is nearing completion and inspected the Rubiri Last Mile Electricity Connection Project.
“The prices have increased sharply in every country in the world because of the war in the Persian Gulf but we are keen to ensure Kenyans do not suffer because of the disruption,” DP reiterated.
The Second in Command said it is not the government’s intention to see Kenyans suffering urging them to be patient as the measures are implemented.
“We are calling on Kenyans to be patient as we work on these measures because we don’t want them to suffer from high fares and increased cost of living because of this situation,” he urged.
Later, he addressed residents at Rubiri shopping centre where he assured them of completion of all ongoing projects and commencement of others geared at improving the lives of the people.
How much has national government allocated for projects in Meru?
Meru County is a big beneficiary of the government’s road construction programme after it was allocated over Ksh 39 billion to complete stalled road projects and starting of new ones. The projects are spread across all the constituencies in the County.
Additionally, Ksh 3.7 billion has been set aside for 17 kilometres of link roads within Meru Town which aim to uplift the town’s status as it seeks to become a city. The upgrading of roads in Nkubu town is also underway.
The government has also released Ksh 1.3 billion under the Last Mile Electricity Connection to connect at least 16, 000 homes to power in the County.
“We are fully focused on improving the lives of the people in Meru. We will ensure all these projects are completed on time,” Prof. Kindiki stated.
Other key projects going on in the devolved unit include the upgrading of Meru Referral Hospital to Level 6 making it a premier facility offering the best medical services to the people.
Several affordable housing, institutional, hostel projects and over 20 modern markets are at advanced stages of completion.
The DP challenged political opponents to get ready for a tough contest centred on what they have done for the people while in office.
“When we come here next year for your support, we will showcase what we have done in the last five years, not just mere talk. Our opponents must be ready to reveal what they did when they were in power,” he said.
