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…
Author: Davin Muthoni
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been taken to the High Court over alleged defamatory remarks linking a private firm and its chairman to irregular petroleum dealings. In the suit, Jackson Kiplimo, chairman of Stabex International Limited, together with two associated companies, is seeking damages, arguing that statements attributed to Mr Gachagua were false, malicious and harmful to their reputation. According to court filings, the plaintiffs accuse Mr Gachagua of publicly claiming that Stabex International Limited and Gulf Energy were being used as proxies in a government-to-government (G2G) petroleum procurement arrangement allegedly tied to President William Ruto. The case references…
Motorists across Kenya are set to enjoy modest relief at the pump after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a downward adjustment in fuel prices following a reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT). In an addendum to its earlier April pricing review, EPRA said the revised prices were prompted by a directive from the National Treasury to lower VAT on petroleum products from 13 per cent to 8 per cent under a legal notice dated April 15, 2026. The new prices took effect on April 16 and will remain in force until May 14, replacing those announced just…
Commuters across Kenya are set to pay higher fares after transport operators announced price increases following a sharp rise in fuel costs for the period between April 15 and May 14, 2026. The adjustments come after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority raised the price of super petrol by Sh28.69 per litre and diesel by Sh40.30 per litre, citing increased landed costs, global price shifts, and exchange rate pressures. Kerosene prices remained unchanged. In response, both the Kenya Transporters Association and matatu operators said the surge in fuel prices—particularly diesel—has significantly raised operating costs, making fare hikes unavoidable. “Fuel is…
President William Ruto has moved to ease rising tensions within the broad-based government, pledging to rein in allies accused of fuelling divisions between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). Speaking during his tour of the Gusii region, the President blamed unnamed “underhand forces” for stoking conflict within the alliance and vowed to safeguard the partnership beyond the 2027 General Election. “I will stop those trying to create conflict between UDA and ODM,” Dr Ruto said. His intervention comes amid growing unease within ODM, where some leaders have accused UDA of exploiting the arrangement to weaken…
Fuel prices in Kenya have recorded a sharp increase, with diesel rising by Sh40 per litre and super petrol by Sh28.69, marking one of the steepest adjustments in recent years. The new prices, which took effect on Wednesday morning, now place both diesel and petrol at about Sh206 per litre in Nairobi. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) attributed the surge to elevated landed costs driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly the US–Israel attack on Iran and subsequent retaliation. The disruption has affected oil production, freight routes, and insurance costs, pushing global prices higher. Despite…
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi told MPs he neither approved nor had prior knowledge of the controversial Sh12 billion fuel import,as he appeared before the National Assembly Energy Committee amid mounting pressure over the scandal. Facing lawmakers for the first time since the issue emerged- and after initially skipping a summons- insisting it was executed outside the government-to-government (G-to-G) framework without his involvement. “The approval of the CS in the importation of this fuel was not sought,” said Mr Wandayi. “Procurement of the consignment was recommended by a technical committee. The PS [Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban] approved it in…
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki spent Sh153.6 million on helicopter travel across the country within just 75 days, according to official records submitted to Parliament. The disclosure comes shortly after MPs approved an additional Sh450 million for the Office of the Deputy President (ODP) in the 2025/26 supplementary budget, with part of the funds allocated to hospitality and helicopter hire. Documents presented to the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) by Principal Administrative Secretary Moses Mbaruku reveal extensive spending not only on air transport but also on operational costs within the DP’s office. These include Sh117.3 million on catering, Sh80.24 million…
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has threatened to withdraw from its working arrangement with President William Ruto’s administration, citing alleged harassment of the coercion of its Members of Parliament ahead of the 2027 General Election. In an exclusive interview, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohammed claimed that state machinery is being used to pressure ODM legislators- particularly from the Coast and Western regions to defect to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). According to him, the move is aimed at weakening ODM’s national influence and reducing it to a regional outfit. “There are people in government who are fighting this union,”…
A company linked to the family of the late Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has emerged among beneficiaries of Kenya’s government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel import arrangement, raising fresh questions over the structure of the multi-billion shilling supply programme. BE Energy, in which the Odinga family holds a 35 per cent stake, is among oil marketers that have recently imported petroleum products under the deal between the government and three Gulf-based suppliers- Saudi Aramco, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Emirates National Oil Company. Under the arrangement introduced in March 2023, Kenya moved away from an open trader system to a framework…
