MOMBASA, Kenya — President William Ruto has defended his administration’s response to the ongoing fuel price crisis, accusing political opponents of exploiting public hardship for political gain instead of proposing workable solutions.
Speaking during a live address from State House in Mombasa on Friday, the President said the spike in fuel prices was driven by global market disruptions and not domestic policy failures.
“I know there are those who are trying to turn this global crisis into politics. People seeking to exploit public pain for political gain, making reckless claims and pretending there are easy options,” Ruto said. “Leadership requires honesty, not political opportunism or populist rhetoric.”
Although he did not name individuals, his remarks appeared directed at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently intensified criticism of the government over rising fuel and living costs.
Gachagua has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of misleading the public by linking the crisis to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, describing the explanation as misleading. He has instead pointed to what he terms inflated import costs and inefficiencies within the government-to-government fuel procurement framework.
He has also criticised President Ruto over the cost of governance and foreign travel, arguing that ordinary Kenyans are bearing the burden of economic pressure.
In his response, Ruto defended the government’s fiscal position, warning that calls to immediately remove all taxes and levies on petroleum products would undermine essential public services.
“There are those asking government to remove all taxes and levies on fuel immediately, but we must ask ourselves honestly: if we stop collecting these revenues entirely, what public services shall we stop funding?” he said.
Also Read: Ruto announces diesel price cut as Kenya moves to cushion fuel crisis
He cited road construction, fertilizer subsidy programmes, security operations, education, and healthcare as areas that would be affected by a sharp reduction in revenue.
The President maintained that Kenya’s policy choices must balance short-term relief with long-term fiscal stability.
“Leadership requires responsible decisions, not just for today, but for the long-term stability of our economy and our country,” he said.
Ruto further argued that the fuel crisis is part of a broader global shock affecting both developing and developed economies, driven by instability in global oil supply chains.
