- He said the government should move with speed and cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living.
- Masara said the committee should swiftly give direction over the matter as it will not require a referendum but executive orders from the government.
Image: FILE
The ongoing bipartisan talks should urgently offer measures to tackle the high cost of living, Suna West MP Peter Masara has said.
Masara said after sitting for weeks, the committee chaired by Wip[er leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah should also offer solutions for tackling inflation.
“I have been meeting my constituents for the last four days and the issue of high cost of living is a ticking time bomb and a major cause of runaway insecurity across the country,” Masara said.
The legislator said the main cause of chaotic demonstrations against the government was the high cost of living and Kenyans are looking forward to the talks.
He said many Kenyans are still grappling with affording high cost of living, high fuel prices and basic needs like rent and fees.
“Getting casual jobs has been hard enough for Kenyans and even with a pay of Sh400 a day one can't buy unga and sugar,” he said.
He said the committee should swiftly give direction over the matter as it will not require a referendum but executive orders from the government.
“The committee is dealing with many issues, but on the cost of living we don’t require any delays because Kenyans can’t wait any longer,’ he said.
He said the government should move with speed and cushion Kenyans against the high cost of living.
He was speaking at Maranatha Faith Assemblies church in Migori town on Sunday.
Masara said the government should look into the education sector and release funds to schools as principals have been forced to hide from suppliers, workers and BOM teachers over lack of funds.
He said the Junior Secondary School is a year old and still some schools lack infrastructure like laboratories and enough teachers.
“Government is yet to release funds to schools which are gearing towards national examinations and close for the third term,” he said.
“This is a major concern as most school heads are avoiding schools for fear of pressure from debtors,” he said.
In an advert published on September 1, 2023, the bipartisan committee invited members of the public to submit their memoranda on 13 issues.
The Committee wanted views on the cost of living and related issues, the implementation of the two-thirds gender rule, and governance issues, including promoting national unity and inclusivity in public appointments and adequate checks and balances.
Others are restructuring and reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, boundaries delimitation, audit of the 2022 presidential election, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Senate Oversight Fund.
They are also seeking opinions on the preposition to form the office of the leader of the Official Opposition, the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and preventing interference with political parties/coalitions.