President William Ruto is under pressure to return the defunct subsidy program launched by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, hours after bipartisan talks with opposition leader, Raila Odinga collapsed.
Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, on Tuesday, April 26, argued that reducing unga prices was not enough to prompt Azimio La Umoja to call off demonstrations.
“When we say the cost of living should go down, we do not mean that you reduce the price of maize flour.
“We are still going to demonstrate even if the price of unga gets reduced,” Kioni clarified Azimio’s position going forward while speaking in an interview with TV47.
The SG called for the immediate reinstatement of the subsidy program that had been introduced by Uhuru’s administration, arguing that the suspension necessitated the high cost of living.
“Every government around the world protects its citizens through offering subsidy programs on food commodities.
“It is not a new concept in Kenya and it should be brought back or else we will continue wearing sufurias on our heads,” Kioni warned.
In further demands, Kioni revealed that the coalition advocated for free education for all students as another irreducible minimum before calling off demonstrations.
“We want to see free education for university and secondary school students as envisioned by the former administration,” the Jubilee SG quipped.
Kenya Kwanza administration had earlier revealed that while students would get placement to various public universities, not everyone would be guaranteed capitation from the State.
“Placement will continue meaning everyone who scored C+ and above will get university placement through KUCCPS but government sponsorship will be based on available funds,” the government through University Funds Board announced on Saturday, February 25.
Kioni further remarked that they would continue pressuring the government to lower electricity prices, arguing that it was a key index in lowering the cost of living.
Ruto terminated the food subsidy program on September 13, 2022, arguing that it was a loophole used by a few individuals to siphon public funds.
“We are not going to be subsidising consumption, we are going to work and support producers.
“The subsidy that was done I was being briefed by the Agriculture Ministry, the taxpayer was paying Ksh7 billion every month that could not be accounted for,” Ruto noted while discontinuing the program.
Reports had alleged that the head of state was advised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to remove the program, which it argued was regressive. Despite acknowledging that it offered the government guidance on subsidies, IMF refuted claims that it coerced the President to revert Uhuru's directives.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, April 25, the opposition and the government momentarily called off bipartisan talks that had sought to address grievances raised by Azimio.
Azimio's Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo announced that the coalition was frustrated after the differing parties failed to agree on including MPs David Pkosing (Pokot South) and Adan Keynan (Eldas) as members of the bipartisan teams.
“We have hit a stalemate and choose to suspend these talks until such time as there may be consensus or position changes," Amollo stated.
