Gachagua Hits Out At Gov't's Fuel Hike Reason, Lays Bare Ruto's Extravagance

Gachagua Hits Out At Gov’t’s Fuel Hike Reason, Lays Bare Ruto’s Extravagance

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted assertions that instability in the Strait of Hormuz is influencing Kenya’s rising petroleum prices.

Gachagua accused the government of increasing fuel landing costs with large profit margins.

During a news conference in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 19, Gachagua emphasized that Kenya’s gasoline supply is not dependent on Iran or shipping routes that travel through the Strait of Hormuz.

He stated that the government obtains fuel from many providers, including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) in Dubai and Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia.

“We should not be told we are having a challenge because of the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated.

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“Our fuel does not come from Iran, and it doesn’t go through the Strait of Hormuz. Therefore, this story that we are having a challenge because of the Strait of Hormuz is hot air.”

Gachagua blamed Kenya’s gasoline price problems on high business margins in landing costs.

The former DP accused the government of increasing costs for consumers through petroleum pricing structures.

“The issue is that William Ruto has loaded very big profit in the landing cost of fuel and that is the way to deal with it,” he added during the press briefing.

Gachagua’s remarks came in response to the fuel price strikes that paralysed transportation nationwide from May 18.

However, the suspension has since been suspended for one week to allow talks between transport sector stakeholders and government officials on lowering fuel costs.

In addition to calling for lower prices, Gachagua urged motorists, matatu operators and owners of agricultural machinery to push for the removal of what he described as lower-quality fuel from the market.

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He cited the government’s temporary adjustment of sulphur limits in fuel following controversy surrounding the importation of substandard petroleum products that led to the resignation of senior officials.

On April 30, sulphur limits were temporarily set at 50mg/kg for automotive gasoil and premium motor spirit. The previous standard stood at 10mg/kg under updated fuel quality regulations.

Gachagua also linked the high fuel prices to oil sector arrangements in Turkana, alleging that agreements surrounding the industry had contributed to increased costs for consumers across the country.

As the country awaits a resolution and relief from surging fuel prices, Gachagua expressed scepticism over the one-week suspension of the matatu strike.

He, however, maintained that it would not resolve the ongoing transport crisis or broader concerns over the cost of living.

Gachagua Hits Out At Gov’t’s Fuel Hike Reason, Lays Bare Ruto’s Extravagance