Energy CS Chirchir heckled in Ruto's presence in Bomet

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir was on Sunday heckled as he attempted to address a congregation in Bomet.

Chirchir had been invited by the emcee to say a few words to the people of Sotik after the preaching was over.

However, as soon as the CS greeted the congregants, the audience started heckling, refusing to calm down to let Chirchir speak.

The host Governor, Hillary Barchok, who was the emcee first tried to intervene to restore order by using his hands to send a signal for people to calm down.

However, the congregation did not stop and continued interrupting the CS.

Chirchir was addressing the issue of electricity.

All these unfolded as President William Ruto who had attended the service watched.

Kenyans have been expressing their frustration over the high cost of fuel.

Fuel consumers were in October paying Sh217.36 for a litre of petrol, Sh205.47 for diesel and Sh204.46 for kerosene in Nairobi.

The prices remained unchanged for a litre of petrol in the November-December cycle while diesel and kerosene dropped by Sh2.

Epra Director General Daniel Kiptoo noted that consumers would not bear the burden despite the average landed cost of imported super petrol having increased by 2.81 per cent per cubic metre in October, diesel by 3.28 per cent and kerosene by 6.31 per cent.

"In order to cushion consumers from the spike in pump prices as a consequence of the landed costs, the government has opted to stabilise pump prices for the November-December 2023 pricing cycle. The National Treasury has identified resources within the current resource envelope to compensate oil marketing companies," he said in a statement on Tuesday evening. 

A litre of petrol is therefore retailing at Sh217.36 per in Nairobi, Sh203.47 for diesel while kerosene is going for Sh203.06.

The prices will remain in effect until December 14 at midnight when a new pricing cycle will take effect.

Interestingly, Tanzania's Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) announced a decrease in the price of petroleum products early this month.

EWURA Director-General James A. Mwainyekule stated that the adjustments in petroleum product prices in November 2023 are primarily attributable to a 5.68% fall in global oil prices.

He added that the changes are also a result of a decrease in premiums for the importation of petroleum products by an average of 13 per cent for PMS (gasoline) and 25 per cent for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).