NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 14 — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that petrol prices could rise by Sh12 per litre and diesel by Sh9, alleging that President William Ruto intends to use the increases to finance political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

📻 Breaking It Down

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), made the allegations as Kenyans awaited the latest pump-price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), scheduled for Wednesday.

He accused Ruto of ordering the proposed increases and alleged that the additional revenue would be used to fund political bribery and mobilisation ahead of the next election.

Gachagua also claimed that Gulf Energy was involved in the alleged plan and accused Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi of being directed to justify the increases by citing rising global oil prices.

📌 What You Need to Know

“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.

The allegations had not been independently substantiated. The Sh12 and Sh9 figures cited by Gachagua were not confirmed EPRA adjustments.

The government has pointed to rising international fuel costs amid disruptions to global oil markets linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking on Tuesday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said Kenya had adequate fuel stocks and that additional cargoes were expected despite disruptions affecting international supply chains.

The disruptions have included tanker attacks, interruptions at pipelines and loading facilities, as well as rising shipping and insurance costs.

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.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya