The former Vice President and Leader of Wiper Democratic Party-Kenya, Kalonzo Musyoka has lauded the efforts being undertaken by the government to combat the Covid-19 scourge.
Kalonzo at the same time commended all Kenyans for adhering to directives meant to arrest the spread of the dreaded coronavirus pandemic, however, he noted that there is still more that can be done to cushion Kenyans, particularly the most vulnerable, from challenges caused by the disease.
He said the situation has exerted a lot of challenges, including the heavy toll on the economy and general financial wellbeing of many Kenyans, particularly the most vulnerable.
Kalonzo is, therefore, calling on the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to collaborate with the Kenya Power and the National Treasury to institute measures that would see the reduction of electricity costs.
“The stay-at-home measures and the 7pm to 5am curfew has made domestic consumption of electricity to be high, than ever before,” he added.
While commending the Regulatory Authority for reducing the prices of petrol and kerosene by Sh.18 per litre, he urged the Authority to further reduce the price of diesel in order to give reprieve to transporters and the ordinary Kenyans.
He said even though the price of diesel was reduced by only Sh. 4, the Authority should consider reducing it and making it at par with that of petrol and kerosene since it is the main fuel used in the transportation of goods and services.
Kalonzo appealed to the County Governments across the country to institute measures and programmes that ensure residents get clean water at affordable rates, whose availability is constant.
“Counties may even consider waivers on water bills, at least until the virus is defeated. I laud Murang’a County government for giving a one month waiver on water bills beginning last month,” he said.
He also appealed to the government to consider giving free masks to people in the informal settlements who may not afford the vital protective devices.
By Bernadette Khaduli
