President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s relatively high fuel prices, linking them to the country’s economic status and ongoing infrastructure investments, while also pledging timely payments to hospitals under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during a Sunday service at the African Gospel Church, the President said comparisons between Kenya and its regional neighbours are often misleading, arguing that the country’s middle-income status sets it apart.
“Kenya is a middle-income country. Our neighbours are the least developed countries. There’s a big difference. If you want to compare Kenya fairly with others, compare Kenya with other middle-income countries. That is how you will get the figures right,” Ruto said.
Fuel costs in Kenya have come under increasing scrutiny in recent months, particularly in comparison to Uganda and Tanzania, where pump prices are lower. However, the President maintained that Kenya’s development agenda inevitably drives up costs.
He noted that a substantial share of fuel levies is channelled towards road infrastructure, pointing out the scale of the country’s network.
“20,000 km of tarmac to maintain here in Kenya is actually the same for the other six or seven East African countries combined. The 6,000 kilometres we are constructing is equivalent to what some neighbouring countries have built over decades,” he said.
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Ruto framed the expenditure as part of a broader push to elevate national standards, adding:
“Transformation is not about making peace with mediocrity. We are setting our standards higher, and that comes with increased costs,” he said.
On healthcare, the President announced that the government would disburse Sh13 billion to hospitals through SHA for the current month, which he said reflects improved efficiency compared to the defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“Tomorrow we will be paying Sh13 billion from SHA to our hospital facilities for this month only. That is what used to be collected in almost six months under NHIF. We have transformed health infrastructure and digitised the system to eliminate manipulation,” Ruto added.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges in implementing reforms, the President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to universal healthcare.
“We are going to make health a right for all citizens, not a privilege for those who can afford it,” he said, calling on faith-based health institutions to continue working with the government.
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