A public participation forum organised by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Machakos witnessed a low turnout with only two participants turning up by late evening.
KeRRA Lower Eastern regional director Eng C.M Mukuva, however, downplayed the poor showing saying empty seats was also a communication of sorts by the public.
KeRRA had sought public views on proposed amendments to the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (Imposition of Levy) Order, 2016 at the Authority’s regional offices in Machakos county on Monday.
Eng Mukuva addressed reporters at about 2.30pm after hours of waiting for residents to show up since 9am.
"Even empty seats is a communication of some sorts, it’s a message. You can make a conclusion even out of empty seats," he said.
"So, we can’t say empty seats don’t communicate. Maybe people don’t want the proposed amendment,” Mukuva added.
By 3pm, the only two men who had turned up left in protest.
“I arrived here at 9am sharp ready to attend the public participation on proposed increment of fuel levy. But to my surprise, there are no attendees other than the two of us, an elderly man and myself,” Martin Mulatya told reporters.
He said he had never seen such a public participation forum.
Eng Mukuva, however, exeduded confidence that more people would show up at the venue by the time the forum was expected to close at 5pm.
However, no one else had showed up by the time this reporter left the venue late evening.
"Our main Terms of Reference (TOR) here is basically not the way you are used to in most of public participation forums. Our TOR in the regions was to receive memoranda or comments from the public, collect and forward the way they are whether negative, half positive or half negative, whether fully positive, in whatever nature they are, then forward them,” he explained.
The event attracted a low turnout despite being publicised in a local daily.
The Kenya Roads Board had made the public announcement on a daily newspaper inviting comments and public participation on the review of road maintenance levy fund.
It said the amendment to the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (Imposition of Levy) Order, 2016 to increase Road Maintenance Levy on petrol and diesel was proposed by the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
"Pursuant to Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya on public participation, the ministry through this Notice, hereby invites members of the public and stakeholders to various public participation forums to be conducted on Monday, July 8, 2024 from 9am to 5pm,” the notice reads in part.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the proposal to increase the road maintenance levy will not impact fuel prices or the cost of living in any way.
Murkomen acknowledged that there have been fears among Kenyans that the plan would negatively impact their financial situation.
“From the views we have received, many Kenyans are worried that an increase in the levy will result in a rise in the cost of living and fuel prices," Murkomen said in a statement.
He assured the public that the ministry will analyse views received on email and social media platforms as well as those submitted during public forums and come up with a decision that captures their recommendations.