Ruto said he held a nearly three-hour meeting with transport sector representatives in Mombasa, where government officials explained the realities of fuel pricing, subsidies, and lessons.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 28 – President William Ruto has denied claims that his administration pressured transport sector leaders into calling off their strike, insisting the decision was reached voluntarily after discussions on the country’s fuel situation.

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast Thursday, Ruto said he held a nearly three-hour meeting with transport sector representatives in Mombasa, where government officials explained the realities of fuel pricing, subsidies, and lessons from past fuel crises.

“When we finished, they told me, ‘Mr President, we are going to call off the strike.’ I did not tell them to call off the strike,” Ruto said.

📌 What You Need to Know

The Head of State dismissed suggestions that the transport leaders had been influenced or compelled by the government, saying their decision was informed by facts presented during the discussions.

“I know many people say they were influenced this way and that way. Maybe they were by facts, of what the situation is,” he said.

Ruto said the meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, revisited the 2022 fuel crisis that marked the beginning of his administration, when the country grappled with fuel shortages, long queues at petrol stations and pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

“In fact, the first team that I met when I was declared president was oil marketers, because we had a crisis,” he said.

The President defended his administration’s approach to fuel pricing and subsidies, warning against what he described as reckless subsidy policies that previously cost taxpayers billions without guaranteeing stable supply.

“For a whole year, we had to pay close to Sh150 billion to Sh160 billion in subsidies without fuel,” he said. “We must be students of history and experience. We do not want to repeat mistakes.”

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya