Eve Maina, CS Moses Kuria Attract Backlash Over Ksh200 Fuel Prices

Both Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and young Kenyan entrepreneur, Eve Maina were the primary subjects of an uproar on X (formerly Twitter) regarding their views on the cost of fuel, which hit record highs of Ksh200 on Thursday, September 14.

Maina, who is the founder of Shoe Space Africa, a business that imports and distributes shoes both wholesale and retail with the aim of bringing high-end shoe production to Kenya and providing employment for Kenyans, was the first to share her controversial thoughts at 8.03 am on Friday, September 15.

She opined that the huge number of complaints that emerged after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a hike in fuel prices across all products would not help in reducing the cost of fuel.

She instead urged Kenyans to find a way to increase their sources of income.

"No amount of tweets will bring down the cost of fuel ladies and gentlemen. 

"Finding ways to increase your income is the only solution.Happy Friday," she wrote.

CS Kuria on the other hand posted at 8.51 am, painting a darker picture by informing Kenyans to brace for further hikes every month going forward.

"Global Crude Prices are on an upward trajectory. For planning purposes expect pump prices to go up by Ksh 10 every month till February," he wrote.

The two personalities sparked uproar on the social media platform. For Maina's case, Kenyans countered by stating that with the harsh economy coupled with several punitive taxes, increasing their source of income might be their undoing as the government is also seeking to branch into multiple fields to grow the economy to fulfil its pre-election promises.

"Unfortunately, the economy does not allow people to increase their income that easily. People are actually losing their jobs as businesses are shutting down or down sizing in some cases," Kachwanya argued.

"The how is the problem. Also even if you increase it, they are coming up with more taxes for you and your business and your side hustle.

"Why would I find ways to increase my income in an overburdening overtaxed cursed country? Instead of holding the government accountable you’re telling us to shut up?" other comments read.

The backlash was harsher on CS Kuria's part, though one Kenyan seemed to offer a suggestion as to why the cost of fuel was on an upward trajectory one year after President William Ruto assumed office.

"I love the genuineness of this post. The reality is that the price of petroleum is subject to a multitude of global factors beyond EPRA's control," the user wrote.

In EPRA's latest price review for the month of Friday, September 15 and Saturday, October 14, the price of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increased by Ksh16.96 per litre, Ksh21.32 per litre and Ksh33.13 per litre respectively.

Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Ksh211.64, Ksh200.99 and Ksh202.61 respectively up from Ksh194.68, Ksh179.67, and Ksh169.48. 

David Ndii, the Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors, responded to the latest hike by blaming the previous government for wanton borrowing which heavily depleted the country's economy.

He boldly declared, "I don’t believe politicians, and I don’t trust government" while declaring that it was crazy for Kenyans to expect the state of the economy to change in one night.