“Kenya Has Fuel Others Don’t!” – Ruto Claims While Defending Price Spike
President William Ruto has defended his government’s fuel pricing strategy, saying Kenya has been shielded from extreme global price shocks through subsidies and a government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel procurement arrangement.
Speaking during his tour in Gusii region, Ruto said fuel prices would have risen much higher if the government had not intervened through targeted subsidies and tax adjustments.
“The price of fuel has increased everywhere in the world, but in Kenya, we had planned to ensure that the prices, which would have increased very highly, were moderated,” he said.
“The government has used Sh6.2 billion to subsidise fuel costs in Kenya. We have also reduced VAT to ensure that we moderate fuel prices, and I want to assure you that my government will do all it can,” Ruto said.
Some countries don’t even have fuel at their petrol stations – President Ruto defends fuel price increase and G2G arrangement. pic.twitter.com/OnDGsPH69X
— NairobiLeo.co.ke (@Nairobi_Leo) April 15, 2026
Ruto also pointed to the government’s direct fuel procurement arrangement with producing countries, saying the G-to-G model had strengthened supply and improved Kenya’s competitiveness in the region.
“God helped us, and we had the G-to-G plan, which saved us. As I speak to you, some countries do not even have fuel in their petrol stations, but here in Kenya, we do,” he said.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority increased the prices of petrol and diesel for the April to May 2026 cycle.
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In its latest fuel review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump prices for Super Petrol and Diesel increases by Sh28.69 per litre and Sh40.30 per litre respectively, while the price of Kerosene remains unchanged.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Sh206.97, Sh206.84 and Sh152.78, respectively, effective midnight for the next 30 days.
The regulator disclosed that the calculated maximum retail prices of petroleum products will be in force from April 15 to May 14, 2026.
EPRA announced effectively, the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene has been reduced from 16 per cent to 13 per cent.
His, it says, was in order to cushion consumers from the high landed cost of petroleum products as a result of the escalated prices in the international market.
“Kenya Has Fuel Others Don’t!” – Ruto Claims While Defending Price Spike
