Opposition pushes for open fuel tendering system

Opposition leaders have taken on President William Ruto over his refusal to lower Value Added Tax on fuel as a way of cushioning Kenyans from the high cost of living.

The leaders, who spoke yesterday shortly after a meeting between President Ruto and stakeholders from the matatu sector, are now demanding the abolishment of the government-to-government fuel import arrangement and a return to the open tendering system.

During his State House, Mombasa address yesterday, President Ruto defended  G-to-G fuel import framework, saying it had helped guarantee stable fuel supplies and protected the Kenyan shilling from further pressure during the ongoing crisis.

“Through the government-to-government fuel supply framework, we have secured guaranteed fuel supplies despite global supply chain disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted availability across the country. The arrangement has stabilised fuel pricing compared to the old spot market system, where prices fluctuated sharply every month,” he said.

President Ruto also highlighted government fuel stabilisation measures, noting that the State had spent Sh28.19 billion across the April–May and May–June 2026 pricing cycles.

However, shortly afterwards, opposition leaders accused President Ruto of being responsible for the fuel crisis and of attempting to manage a crisis he created. Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka claimed that the Head of State was perpetuating corruption through the G-to-G fuel importation programme.

“The leaders of the matatu associations are compromised and wananchi are on their own. We have a very uncaring president who does not care about the welfare of his people. Kenyans should brace themselves for a higher cost of living because it is now set to skyrocket,” said Kalonzo.

He said the expected Sh10 reduction in fuel prices would do little to cushion Kenyans from the high cost of living and demanded that fuel prices be reduced by at least Sh50. “Our demand is that the fuel importation system be reverted to the open tendering system and the price of diesel be reduced by a minimum of Sh50. Anything short of that is wrong. Kenyans should, however, not lose hope because in another 14 months we shall have kicked out the current administration and restore order in this country,” he added.

He further claimed that the current administration had turned a deaf ear to the plight of Kenyans, noting that during the NADCO talks held at Bomas, members of the Azimio coalition had advised the government against the G-to-G fuel arrangement.  “During the Bomas talks, the current Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi was on my side and was against the G-to-G arrangement, but he is the one championing it now,” the Wiper leader said.