William Ruto: I'm Not Responsible For Increasing Or Reducing Fuel Prices

• According to President William Ruto, the forces behind the changes in fuel prices are out of his control
• He faulted leaders for being dishonest with Kenyans on the matter, saying the determination of the prices of fuel rests with the oil-producing countries
• The president's comments came days after the price of petrol was reduced by KSh 5

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kisii - President William Ruto has sought to absolve himself in the face of accusations from Kenyans over the cost of petroleum products.

The president said there were several factors outside his control, most of which were in the custody of the oil-producing countries, presumably under the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Why Ruto can't reduce prices of fuel

He, however, told Kenyans the prices would be reduced further in the coming days.

The president spoke in Kisii on Saturday, December 16, when he attended a Thanksgiving function at the St Cardinal Otunga High School in Mosocho, in the company of his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, and other ranking local leaders.

“I told you prices of fuel will come down, I am telling you again, and the prices will reduce further next month. But do not clap for me, I have not done anything to reduce that price. I have done nothing, You have only helped to clap for me, but there is nothing I have done.

I am not the one who increases or reduces the price of fuel. There are people who own oil there, they bring us the prices. The only thing I am announcing to you, is that those who bring that fuel have reduced the prices and it will continue doing so," he said.

He appreciated that there were imperatives outside his office, and he would do nothing other than just follow.

According to him, it would take a miracle for him in his capacity as president to influence the prices of fuel, saying he can only bite what he can chew.

"The problem in Kenya is about our leadership, leaders who don’t want to tell the truth. Leaders are not people meant to perform miracles. There are no miracles, leaders are not angels. Only Jesus can perform miracles, the rest of us is all about working hard,” he said.

Raila's pressure on Ruto over fuel prices

Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga had sought to compel the government to reduce the prices of fuel by not less than KSh 50.

Raila observed that prices had largely fallen in the global market, which ought to be felt at the pump.

Considering the current rates internationally, the opposition leader said it would be inconsequential to have meagre reduction margins of less than KSh 50.

"We are aware that fuel prices have dropped internationally. We are expecting the reduction this month to be by at least KSh 45 for a litre, or even KSh 50, not KSh 5," he said.

Kenya witnessed a historic surge in fuel prices in September this year when a litre crossed the unprecedented KSh 200 mark.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the surge was due to global factors the government could not control.

While appearing before the National Assembly's departmental committee on energy, Chirchir listed several forces in the global oil market that have left the government vulnerable.

What was CS Davis Chirchir's take?

According to him, the oil-producing countries under OPEC determined the landing international cost prices, which ultimately impacted the pump.

He singled out the prevalent political situation in those countries, the Ukraine-Russia crisis, and the wintery conditions as the underlying factors.

Chirchir said things would not change for the better soon, with the government playing along despite the lamentations from Kenyans.

He further observed before the committee that the OPEC suppliers had cut the quantities supplied daily by a considerable margin, increasing demand.

"These are prices from OPEC and there is nothing much we can do about and we are likely to go to harder times. There have been some 3.6 million barrels cut on a daily basis which is about 4%," he said.

Compounding the situation, the CS said, was that Kenya does not produce its own product, hence the dependence on international suppliers.

While admitting the pricing was unprecedented, Chirchir noted that, among others, countries like the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Tanzania, and South Africa were feeling the same pinch as Nairobi.

What are fuel prices in December 2023?

On December 14, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) released the revised maximum retail prices for petroleum products, effective from that date to January 14, 2024.

During the reviewed period, the maximum pump price for Super Petrol decreased by KSh 5.00 per litre, Diesel by KSh 2.00 per litre, and Kerosene by KSh 4.01 per litre.

As a result, consumers in Nairobi would pay KSh 212.36, KSh 201.47, and KSh 199.05 for a litre of Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene, respectively.