President Ruto Issues New Directive On Electricity Prices

President William Ruto has directed the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to lower electricity prices for Kenyans.

According to a dispatch from State House on Monday, November 27, hydro-generated power production has improved to 20 percent while diesel has gone down to 10 percent.

“The Cabinet directed the Ministry of Energy to pass the benefit of lower electricity tariffs to the public in a manner that promotes the increased use of hydro-generated power, which has presently increased to 20 percent while diesel has gone down from 15% to 10%,” read the dispatch in part.

The Cabinet also directed the Ministry of Energy in consultation with all agencies within the sector, to take advantage of the ongoing rains and give priority to maximum production, uptake, and distribution of hydro-generated power.

The National Treasury was directed to rationalize the current budget and direct Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to commence reallocation of funds in their budgets to support the El Nino emergency response being undertaken by the State.

The Cabinet further directed the Treasury to release an additional KSh10 billion to County Governments this week.

Additionally, the Cabinet established an ad hoc Cabinet Committee on Disaster Response under the leadership of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to coordinate the State response.

The Cabinet noted that seventy-six Kenyans have lost their lives to El Nino rains, while 35,000 households have been displaced with most affected areas being in the North-Eastern, Eastern, and Coast regions.

“All Kenyans should exercise patience and caution while traveling, wait for storm waters to subside before attempting to crossroads, report any instances of flooding or landslides to the authorities, and strictly follow all guidelines issued by the Government,” the Cabinet added.