MPs press Kiraitu for truth on crisis

By Martin Mutua

Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi was Thursday put on the spot over the current fuel shortage.

But Kiraitu blamed lack of storage facilities for the crisis.

He pointed out that there is only one jetty that supplied the neighbouring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC while they ought to be at least two.

However, members of the Finance Committee told off the minister, saying the problem should be best handled in the Cabinet and not "through lamenting in Parliament."

"Mr Speaker the Minister knows very well that what he is crying about can well be handled at Cabinet level and he should be telling us the measures he has taken instead of coming to lament here,’ said committee Chairman Chris Okemo.

The minister was issuing a statement on the fuel shortage, which Nyakach MP Pollyns Ochieng sought on Wednesday.

Okemo further demanded that the minister tells the House if the 30 per cent taxes reduced on paraffin and diesel had lowered the pump prices or just profiting oil marketers.

Government Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama and Lari MP David Njuguna asked the minister how he would punish oil marketers who flout the price regulations.

Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba told Kiraitu to tell the truth behind the crisis in the energy sector, while his Gwassi counterpart John Mbandi asked him and the Permanent Secretary to resign.

Kiraitu said he had sought to spend Sh100 billion from the Cabinet to turn around the sector, but the money was not available.