Give Ruto one year to lower cost of living, Shollei tells Kenyans

Deputy Speaker Glady Shollei addressing Simat -Kipkenyo residents in Uasin Gishu County on May 21, 2023. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

The National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei wants Kenyans to give President William Ruto’s administration one year to reduce the cost of living.

Shollei pleaded with Kenyans to be patient with the Kenya Kwanza government as they work to address the country's economic problems.

Speaking during a funds drive at Bware Kabondo SDA Church in Kabondo Kasipul constituency, where she was hosted by former area MP Silvance Osele and former Ndhiwa MP Agustino Neto, the Deputy Speaker attributed the high cost of living to shortage of dollars in the country.

The Uasin Gishu Woman Rep argued that imbalance of trade between Kenya and other countries led to the shortage of dollars, are acquired in foreign exchange.

She explained that this resulted from the fact that Kenya imports more goods and services than it exports to other countries.

"The main problem facing our country is the shortage of dollars, which resulted from exporting fewer goods and services than we import," Shollei said.

She argued that the escalating cost of living has not been caused by the fuel prices.

"Our main problem is not the escalating cost of fuel people think of. It is the dollar shortage," she said.

The Uasin Gishu Woman Rep assured that the government has put in place modalities to address the dollar shortage.

She said the government has embarked to supplying subsidized fertilizer to farmers, among other measures to enable the country to become a producer of goods and services rather than a consumer.

"I have to admit that the cost of living is high in our country. The government has put in place various measures to address the issues," she added.

"I plead with Kenyans to be patient with the government for the next one year for the cost of living to reduce. Even if you have a cow, you must be patient with it to mature and calf down," she said.

Osele and Neto told Nyanza residents to support the government so that they can benefit from development projects.

"This government has constructed for us a road in Kabondo Kasipul, and it has plans to construct more. It has also undertaken mega development projects in other constituencies in Nyanza. Let us cooperate with the government," Osele said.

Neto urged Nyanza residents to support President Ruto's development and political agenda.

“Let us support President Ruto because he has shown us the goodwill to work with the people,” he said.