Ruto Responds to Calls for Protests Over Fuel Price Hike

President William Ruto has addressed growing calls for nationwide protests over rising fuel prices, urging leaders and citizens to focus on practical solutions instead of demonstrations.

Speaking on Wednesday, April 15, Ruto dismissed protests as an effective response to the crisis, calling for more strategic approaches to ease the burden on Kenyans.

“There are those saying that because fuel prices have increased globally, they will hold protests. I want to ask, if they protest, will the cost of fuel decrease? We must use our brains to find ways to reduce the price of fuel,” he said.

His remarks came hours after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua issued a warning, threatening nationwide protests if the government fails to act on the rising cost of fuel.

Speaking during a press briefing on behalf of the opposition coalition, Gachagua gave the government a seven-day ultimatum to implement measures aimed at lowering fuel prices and addressing what he termed a deepening fuel crisis.

The opposition called for the immediate convening of a special sitting of the National Assembly to debate and scrap the controversial government-to-government fuel import arrangement, which they blame for the recent price surge.

“President William Ruto must immediately instruct the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a special sitting to scrap the G-to-G arrangement,” Gachagua said.

He and his allies also proposed a raft of measures to ease the cost of living, including removing or reducing fuel-related taxes such as VAT and the road maintenance levy, suspending the Affordable Housing Levy and NSSF deductions, and redirecting funds from major government projects to cushion consumers.

According to the opposition, the measures are necessary following the latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which pushed petrol and diesel prices above Ksh200 per litre.

Gachagua warned that failure by the government to act within the given timeline would trigger mass action across the country.

“If there is no action taken by William Ruto, we shall announce further measures to the people of Kenya to force the government and the National Assembly to act in the best interest of Kenyans,” he said.

Despite the criticism, Ruto defended the government’s handling of the situation, saying the recent price increases were driven by global factors, including geopolitical tensions such as the Iran war.

Speaking in Kisii County, the President said the government had intervened to cushion Kenyans, noting that fuel prices would have been significantly higher without subsidies.

“The price of fuel has increased everywhere in the world, but in Kenya, we had planned to ensure that the increase was moderated,” he said.

“The government has used Ksh6.2 billion to subsidise fuel costs. We have also reduced VAT to ensure we moderate prices, and I want to assure you that my government will do all it can.”

Ruto maintained that the government-to-government fuel import arrangement has been beneficial, arguing that it helped Kenya avoid fuel shortages experienced in other countries.

“The G-to-G arrangement has made Kenya a competitive fuel destination. Some countries do not even have fuel in their petrol stations, but in Kenya, we have enough,” he added.