Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of seeking to exploit rising fuel costs to finance political mobilisation ahead of the August 2027 General Election, as Kenyans await the latest review of pump prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), alleged that Ruto had ordered a Sh12-per-litre increase in petrol prices and a Sh9 increase in diesel prices to raise money for political bribery and mobilisation.
In a statement, Gachagua claimed the proposed adjustments would be processed through Gulf Energy and accused Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi of being directed to defend the increases by citing rising international oil prices.
“Desperate to raise more cash, last evening, he ruthlessly ordered an increase in the price of diesel by Kshs. 9 and petrol by Kshs. 12, to be processed through Gulf Energy for political bribery,” he alleged.
However, the allegations had not been independently substantiated, and the figures cited by Gachagua were not confirmed EPRA adjustments ahead of the regulator’s scheduled October 14 review.
The accusations come amid pressure on international fuel supply chains, with the government citing rising import costs, disruptions to global oil markets and higher shipping and insurance expenses as factors affecting fuel procurement.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said on Tuesday that Kenya had adequate fuel stocks and expected additional cargoes despite the supply disruptions. The government has also cited the Government-to-Government fuel procurement arrangement as a mechanism for sourcing supplies from alternative ports.
Figures from the Ministry of Energy indicate that the cost of imported Super Petrol, measured on a Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) basis at the Port of Mombasa, rose from approximately $1,199 per tonne in August to $1,385 in September. The corresponding cost of diesel increased from about $1,200 to $1,313 per tonne.
The government has indicated that it would explore measures to cushion consumers against the effects of higher international fuel costs, which could have wider implications for transport fares, food prices and household spending.
Under the existing EPRA price schedule covering September 15 to October 14, Super Petrol retailed at a maximum of Sh214.03 per litre in Nairobi, while diesel sold at Sh217.86. The regulator’s latest review will determine the maximum pump prices applicable from October 15.
Beyond the fuel-price dispute, Gachagua accused the Ruto administration of relying on cash handouts to win public support, claiming that demands for money had followed the President even in the Rift Valley, a region considered his political stronghold.
He also criticised the government over the cost of living, corruption, alleged abductions and extrajudicial killings, arguing that public dissatisfaction was growing as the country approaches the next general election.
The latest remarks deepen the political confrontation between Gachagua and his former boss, with economic management and the rising cost of living emerging as key issues in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
