Kenya Transporters Association Limited (KTA) has mounted pressure on president-elect, William Ruto's administration to uphold the fuel subsidy that cushions Kenyans from the high cost of the commodity.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 11, KTA noted that any hike in fuel costs subsequently leads to an increase in the prices of essential goods.
The association urged the president-elect to continue with the fuel subsidy despite the current government revenue deficit.
"Any Increase in fuel costs, directly and indirectly, results in an increase in prices of essential goods consumed and services rendered for the common hustler. We kindly request the new administration to continue cushioning the citizens by continuing to subsidize fuel even in the face of government revenue deficit," read part of the KTA statement.
The association also urged the new administration to allow upcountry importers to be at liberty to choose where they want to receive and clear their goods.
KTA alleged that the importers are forced to use the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR)- which they termed as both expensive and inefficient means to the importer.
The transporters at one point were at loggerheads with President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime after the government directed cargo transporters to use the SGR.
The association also pointed out that a High Court judgment on November 6, 2020, declared the directives illegal for violating the constitution.
"In line with the promises made during the campaign period to immediately reverse the directives on the assumption of office within the first 100 days, we hereby humbly request your administration to reverse the directives thereby allowing importers to be at liberty to nominate where they want to receive and clear their goods."
KTA also urged the incoming government to reverse the directive that all South Sudan Transit Cargo ought to be railed to a private facility in Nairobi.
"It is important to note that we are not asking for road transport to be favoured nor are we against SGR. We are simply asking for importers to be given the freedom to choose. Let market forces determine the better option."
A day after Ruto's swearing-in ceremony, all eyes will shift to the fuel prices announcement by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for September.
EPRA is set to announce new pump prices on Wednesday, September 14 when it releases its monthly reviews.
