Russia has flagged a statement made by the government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna blaming the high cost of living and fuel prices to the war in Ukraine.
Through a statement dated Wednesday, June 22, the Russian Embassy in Kenya responded to a story covered by Citizen Digital on Oguna’s remarks noting that the government was erroneous.
Instead, the Embassy blamed policies and sanctions imposed by the US and the European Union for the increase in prices of basic commodities in Kenya and other countries.
“The Western narrative that all the global, food, energy (fuel), and financial crises are because of the events in Ukraine is fundamentally erroneous,” their statement read in part.
“The root causes of all these problems are totally inept, unprofessional and irresponsible financial and economic policies of US, EU, and the like over a long period of time, as well as their illegal unilateral sanctions that disrupt and distort global markets.”
While touring Rivatex in Eldoret on Tuesday, June 21, Oguna stated the war in Ukraine and Russia had partly affected the prices of commodities in the country.
He however assured Kenyans that the country is trying to implement other strategies to shield them from economic hardship.
“It is true that the cost of living has gone high. But it is not the government’s wish. We have to understand there are external factors contributing to this. For instance, The war between Russia and Ukraine is affecting us in one way or the other. The price of fuel has gone high because where the fuel is coming from the prices have also gone high,” Oguna remarked.
His statement comes just months after President Uhuru Kenyatta called out political leaders for blaming him over skyrocketing cost of living making it public that he is not in Ukraine.
“Instead of helping me find solutions to issues affecting our people, you are out there in the markets hurling insults and you call yourself a leader, yet you claim that you hold a senior leadership position,” President Uhuru stated during Labour Day Celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on May 1.
However, this is not the first time Russian Embassy is correcting statements made by Kenyan leaders. In March, Russian Embassy responded to comments made by State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena over the sharp increase of the cost of commodities in Kenya.
In a statement issued by the country’s Ambassador to Kenya, Dmitry Maksimychev, the Eurasian country stated that Kenya should not blame Russia for the influx in the cost of goods but for the US and the European Union and countries allied to Ukraine.
“The Russian Embassy would like to point out to our Kenyan friends and partners that the real cause of the increase in prices in Africa is not Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine but the illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by the US, EU and their followers on Russia,” the statement read in part.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
