High cost of fuel hurting Kenyans, Wavinya tells President Ruto

Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti at Our Lady of Lourdes Machakos Cathedral in Machakos County during a funds drive on Saturday, September 16, 2023. [Erastus Mulwa, Standard]

She noted that the high fuel prices could also trigger an economic slowdown due to the limited movement of goods and people.

"We are likely to experience a slowdown of economic activities in the country due to the high cost of transportation. The current sad state of affairs in the country should be addressed as a matter of urgency through an urgent fiscal intervention," Wavinya said.

The government's withdrawal of subsidies was among the factors that led to the sharp increase in pump prices. Other factors that pushed up the costs of fuel include the weakening of the shilling, trading at over 150 against the dollar.

Meanwhile, Wavinya announced that her government has procured assorted seeds worth Sh150 million that will be distributed to farmers across the county ahead of the expected El Nino rains.

"My plan is to ensure maximum food production across the county by supporting farmers. We seek to promote interventions that will make Machakos a food-secure county," she said.