President William Ruto has given Kenyans assurance that fuel prices will see a decline starting in the upcoming month.
Speaking on Saturday during the launch of the Sagana-Kathaka-Thiguku road construction in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, the President acknowledged the recent surge in fuel prices.
However, he pledged that the government is implementing effective measures to bring them back down.
“Ingawa bei duniani kote inapanda, tunafuata vile inapanda na tumetafuta namna ili bei isipite mahali Wakenya wengi wataumia. Mmeona kuanzia mwezi huu hiyo bei imeanza kuteremka,” he said.
President Ruto shared insights into the state of fuel availability when he assumed leadership, highlighting that many petrol stations faced shortages due to a lack of sufficient dollar circulation in the market
He revealed diplomatic discussions with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the fuel and dollar issue, assuring that there will be an ample supply of fuel in the country moving forward.
Addressing the previous scarcity, he stated, “When I took over, you could see cars lined up at petrol stations with a shortage of fuel.
I spoke to people from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, telling them to supply us with fuel, and we will pay them in Kenyan shillings after six months.
That’s why Kenya never runs out of fuel.”
President Ruto dismissed claims by opposition leader Raila Odinga regarding cheaper fuel in Tanzania and Uganda.
He asserted that these neighboring countries are now following Kenya’s lead based on the agreements he made with the Gulf nations.
President Ruto reassured that Kenya is purchasing fuel at the most favorable prices among its neighbors.
“We, as Kenya, buy fuel from other countries, and those who sell to us set the prices.
But we have agreed to review and adjust those prices,” Ruto affirmed.
“Thanks to the agreement I made with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, our neighbors—Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda—are now seeking similar deals because this agreement is helping us.
We have an ample supply of fuel, and we buy it at lower prices than our neighbors.”
