We'll stabilise food and fuel prices, says Kindiki

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has pledged to revive stalled projects in Meru County, assuring leaders that the government has allocated funds for last-mile electricity connections and market development.

Speaking at his Karen residence in Nairobi on Tuesday, February 18, Kindiki said several road projects stalled during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s first term but would now be revived.

"The economy was in bad shape  when we came in. It has taken the President two years to stabilise it and set it on the right path to recovery. What we are doing now is to build on the strong economy to increase incomes for households." he said. 

The DP noted that Kenya has achieved adequate maize production for the first time in 16 years, and is now producing enough sugar to meet domestic demand, reducing reliance on imports.

“We are working to stabilise food and fuel prices, basic commodity costs, interest rates, inflation, and exchange rates because they are the foundation of macroeconomic stability,” he added. 

Responding to criticism of the ongoing Isiolo-Mandera road project, Kindiki said the government remains committed to completing it within two and a half years.

“You can make fun of it to be applauded online but we are focused because it will be the same road we will be using to explain to the people there what have done for them.” 

He added that some eleven contractors are already on-site, and once complete, it will open up the region for economic transformation. 

Kindiki also credited President Ruto’s interventions for the rise in miraa prices, dismissing claims that the increase was coincidental.

“This is a deliberate effort to support miraa farmers, and more interventions are on the way,” he said, adding that the government is also streamlining the dairy, tea, coffee, macadamia, and cotton sectors.

“Higher earnings have already been reported in the tea, coffee, and dairy subsectors,” he noted.

Kindiki revealed that he has met with leaders from Embu, Taita Taveta, Kajiado, Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Samburu, and Kiambu counties and plans to engage the remaining 39 counties within the next two months.