Tag: Moses Kuria news

Kenya’s Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has apologized for controversial comments he made regarding the country’s fuel prices.

On September 15, Kuria sparked a nationwide debate when he suggested that fuel prices were likely to increase in the coming months due to global dynamics. However, he has now expressed remorse and retracted his earlier statement.

In his apology, Kuria acknowledged that his earlier remarks were incorrect, insensitive, and arrogant.

“On Friday 15th September I made some comments indicating that the price of fuel is likely to go up in the coming months owing to global dynamics. I have since been advised by people like Dr Boni Khalwale and his master that the statement was incorrect, insensitive and arrogant. I am made to now understand that the price will come down. I apologise profusely since to err is human,” he said.

Kuria’s apology has divided public opinion, with some Kenyans questioning its sincerity.

Others also wondered who the CS was referring to as “Khalwale’s master”.

The apology comes amidst growing tensions over the rising cost of fuel and concerns about government officials’ interactions with citizens.

Kuria’s initial comments were widely criticized, with many Kenyans accusing him of being out of touch with the realities of life for ordinary citizens. His apology has been welcomed by some, but others remain skeptical, given his track record of making controversial statements.

It is unclear who Kuria was referring to as “Khalwale’s master” in his apology. Some have speculated that he was referring to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, while others believe he was simply making a general point about the importance of listening to advice from others.

Whatever the case may be, Kuria’s apology is a reminder of the importance of government officials being mindful of their words and actions. The public expects them to be honest and transparent, and to avoid making insensitive or arrogant statements.

Moses Kuria mockingly apologizes to Kenyans for saying fuel prices would keep rising

On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, Investments, Industry, and Trade CS Moses Kuria sarcastically apologized to Kenyans for his earlier statements that the price of fuel would continue to increase until February of the following year.

Kuria claimed that he was advised to apologize by people like Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale and his boss, who told him that his earlier statements were “incorrect, insensitive, and arrogant.”

However, Kuria’s comments appeared to be directed at Khalwale, who has been calling for Kuria’s firing in response to his statements.

Speaking in Kakamega, Khalwale also demanded the dismissal of Ruto’s economic adviser David Ndii and Energy CS Davis Chirchir for their controversial comments on the price of fuel.

Kuria received criticism on Saturday for advising Kenyans who were unhappy about high fuel costs to drill their own oil wells.

Kuria’s apology has been met with mixed reactions from Kenyans. Some Kenyans have praised him for apologizing, while others have criticized him for being sarcastic and for not taking responsibility for his statements.

Ukishinda umesema bei ya mafuta imeongezeka kutoka asubuhi mpaka jioni, si uchimbe kisima chako? (When you keep on complaining that the prices of fuel have gone up, why don’t you just drill your own oil well?)”

Kuria also linked issues related to climate change to growing gasoline prices.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked all government representatives to refrain from speaking arrogantly to Kenyans after his address.

Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria made contradictory remarks about cooking oil prices on Wednesday night.

Responding to a presentation showing the prices of cooking oil on live TV, Kuria claimed that the prices listed were not factual and that the prices were actually lower than what was projected. He went on to claim that President William Ruto’s administration had lowered the price of cooking oil by 50 per cent.

However, when tasked to state what the current prices are, the CS claimed that the prices had been reduced to Ksh240 per litre.

A spot check at a local supermarket revealed that the prices of cooking oil per litre were selling at Ksh355, Ksh347, Ksh325 and Ksh307, which is higher than what the CS had claimed.

Kuria’s claims have been disputed by many, including Kenyans on social media, who have pointed out that the prices of cooking oil are still high.

Some have accused the CS of being out of touch with reality, while others have called on him to be more honest about the situation.

The controversy over cooking oil prices highlights the challenges that the Ruto administration is facing in addressing the high cost of living in Kenya.

Moses Kuria has had a turbulent time as a Cabinet Secretary. His controversial and combative style has landed him in hot water on several occasions, both domestically and internationally.

In June 2023, Kuria was involved in a spat with the media after a local media house exposed a corruption scandal in his Ministry. Kuria responded by insulting the media house and its journalists, and threatening to withhold government advertising from them. He also advised his colleagues in government not to cooperate with the media house.

In July 2023, Kuria was locked out of a meeting with top American trade officials. The American representatives reportedly insisted that he was an unwanted host because of his extremist remarks. Two other high-profile meetings that Kuria was set to attend were also cancelled.

Kuria has also been criticized for his consistent use of foul language on social media. He has been known to insult opposition politicians and to make careless remarks about international affairs. For example, he called for the bombing of Khartoum during the war in Sudan.

In August 2023, Kuria was locked out of a Performance Contract Signing meeting at State House. President William Ruto reportedly demanded that Kuria and his colleagues write him a letter explaining why they were late, and ordered them not to mention the traffic menace in Nairobi as a reason.

Kuria’s woes have led to a decline in his popularity. He is now seen as a liability by many, and his future in government is uncertain.

Conclusion

Moses Kuria’s time as a Cabinet Secretary has been marked by controversy and scandal. His combative style has alienated many people, and his use of foul language has been widely criticized. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to weather the storm and maintain his position in government.

The Minority Coalition in the Senate staged a walkout on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, following the arrival of Trade CS Moses Kuria. The senators, who are allied to the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition party, left the House when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi allowed the CS to proceed with answering questions in regards to his docket.

The senators claimed that the House lacked a quorum and was in violation of Standing Order 41. This standing order states that a quorum is deemed to be present when two-thirds of the members of the House are present. The Minority Coalition argued that there were not enough members present to constitute a quorum.

As a result of the walkout, no business could be conducted in the House. The senators also objected to CS Kuria being questioned about his criticism of the media and the controversy surrounding the edible oil purchase deal.

The walkout comes at a time when the Senate is deadlocked over a number of issues, including the budget and the electoral bill. The Minority Coalition has accused the Speaker of favoring the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is the coalition of parties that CS Kuria belongs to.

The Speaker has denied these allegations, but the walkout has further strained relations between the two sides. It remains to be seen whether the Senate will be able to resume business in the near future.

Analysis

The walkout by the Minority Coalition is a significant development in the ongoing political crisis in Kenya. It is a sign of the deep divisions within the Senate and the country as a whole. It remains to be seen whether the Senate will be able to resume business in the near future, but the walkout has further strained relations between the two sides.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has insisted that he will not apologize for his recent slur on the media, saying that he knows the difference between a media house that is being used and one that is not.

Kuria, who is a former media owner, made the remarks on Wednesday after appearing before the Senate plenary to answer questions raised by senators.

“I am not apologizing. My friend, I have been a media owner before. I have been a writer in your newspapers and all that before. There’s nobody who is pro-media more than me but I know the difference between media and what Stanley Baldwin called the Prerogative of the Harlot, the exercise of power without responsibility,” Kuria said.

Kuria’s outburst followed an expose by NTV, a station under the Nation Media Group, where it alleged that Cabinet Secretaries were responsible for the drop in the price of edible oils. The move allegedly made the taxpayer lose about Sh5.6 billion.

Kuria has accused the Nation Media Group of propelling negative stories about the government, and he has threatened to sack any government official who advertises with the media house.

The media group has denied the allegations, and it has said that it is committed to providing accurate and unbiased reporting.

The Kenya Union of Journalists has also condemned Kuria’s remarks, saying that they are an attack on press freedom.

It remains to be seen whether Kuria will face any consequences for his remarks. However, his comments have sparked a debate about the role of the media in a democracy.

Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria has said that any 250ml bottle of liquor being sold below Ksh250 should be labeled as illegal.

Kuria made the remarks on Monday, June 12, 2023, while addressing a crowd during a multi-agency meeting at Kirubia Stadium in Tharaka Nithi County.

He said that the move is aimed at counteracting the production rate of illegal alcohol in the country.

“Any liquor vendor selling alcohol at the price mentioned above should immediately be treated as a suspect,” Kuria said.

He added that the government will be working with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and other relevant agencies to ensure that illegal alcohol is taken off the market.

Kuria’s remarks come at a time when the country is grappling with a high rate of alcohol-related deaths.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol is a major risk factor for death and disability in Kenya.

In 2016, alcohol-related deaths accounted for 5.3% of all deaths in the country.

Kuria’s move is seen as a step in the right direction in the fight against illegal alcohol.

However, it remains to be seen how effective it will be in curbing the production and sale of illegal alcohol in the country.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria was loathed by the Luo community before Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta shook hands. No one would imagine Kuria strolling down the streets of Kisumu, but he did last Saturday.

The controversial lawmaker was in Kisumu over the past weekend for the homecoming ceremony for ICT PS Jerome Ochieng and also to raise funds for Kusa Catholic Church.

Kuria opted to ride boda boda to the city center when he touched down in Kisumu. The Gatundu South MP was treated to a warm reception by lakeside dwellers as he crisscrossed the city.

Mashemeji Derby

Moses Kuria also rubbed shoulders with Raila Odinga at Kasarani stadium on Sunday July 22nd during Gor Mahia and FC Leopards derby.

Moses Kuria says he won’t take his November salary if he’s paid. The Gatundu South lawmaker wants fellow MPs to also go without their salaries for November.

It’s unlikely that legislators will support Kuria’s call to go without their November salaries. Kenyan lawmakers are among the greediest in the world.

Kuria blames Nasa MPs

Kuria says parliament will go on recess again until 29th November. He explains that the August House is barely functional because Nasa-allied MPs were absconding parliamentary sessions.

“Parliament went on recess again today till 29th November as NASA is yet to send its representatives to House Committees. The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) committees are not in place as a result,” Moses Kuria wrote on Facebook on Wednesday November 8th.

No work no salary

The Gatundu South MP says lawmakers shouldn’t be paid their November salaries since they won’t be working for nearly the whole of November. Kuria calls upon National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi to make sure MPs are not paid November salaries.

“The logical and moral thing for the Speaker to do is NOT to pay us our November salaries. Paying us would amount to stealing from Kenyans. Why pay us when we are neither working in our constituencies nor in parliament? Why reward me simply for staying alive?”