Trade CS Moses Kuria has said that Kenya's problem is not the cost of living but the lack of money.
He, however, acknowledged that there is a problem that needs to be sorted out.
Speaking on Wednesday, the CS said that the country has only three options to manage the situation at hand.
"I know we have a problem with the cost of living. We have three options, we either sit down and do nothing, we kneel and pray or we do something about it. Our problem is not the cost of living, our problem is that we have no money in our pocket," he said.
Kenyans have complained of the high cost of living and skyrocketing prices in the price of items.
They were given a chance to present their proposal before the National Dialogue Committee.
Most of the institutions proposed that the talks address the high cost of living in the country.
Azimio la Umoja leaders issued their proposal to the government on how the cost of living can be lowered.
In the proposal, the Raila-led Coalition said the current budget outlook is based on the imposition of accelerated taxes and massive borrowing.
According to the leaders, public finances are impeded by heavy taxation and massive borrowing hence leading to a high cost of living.
"Public expenditure should fulfil and promote Article 43 Rights as a priority. The state has a duty to fulfil the Act of the constitution rights to the highest attainable standards," they said.
Azimio faulted the government for leading to the rise in the cost of living in the exchange rate as well as the budget deficit.
"Kenyan Shilling was about Sh120 to US$ in August 2022 but by September 2023 it had gone up to Sh150. The depreciation of the Kenya Shilling brings more suffering from escalated prices of imports that affect access to inputs and food imports," Azimio said.
