Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi on Wednesday, October 14, rejected claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government plans to raise fuel prices to fund President William Ruto's 2027 re-election campaign, speaking in West Pokot County hours before the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was due to announce its monthly pump prices, and he counter-accused Gachagua of demanding bribes from oil companies while in office.
Earlier on Wednesday, Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), claimed Ruto had ordered petrol to rise by Sh12 a litre and diesel by Sh9.
He alleged that the extra money would fund political bribery ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election, that the increases would be processed through Gulf Energy and that Wandayi had been told to justify them by blaming global oil prices. His statement offered no evidence and the Sh12 and Sh9 figures were not confirmed EPRA adjustments.
Wandayi, speaking during a campaign tour with Ruto, said fuel prices are set independently by EPRA under the law, not by individuals in government.
He told Gachagua he knew little about fuel pricing because he had been a one-term Member of Parliament. He also defended the Kenya Kwanza government's record, saying the country has never experienced a fuel shortage under it.
Earlier in the week, he said Kenya had adequate stocks and that more cargoes were expected despite disruption to international supply chains.
The minister went further, accusing Gachagua of milking oil investors in the country before he was removed from office. He said that as former Deputy President, Gachagua demanded bribes from petroleum companies and so has no say on fuel prices. Wandayi did not offer evidence for the allegation in the reports reviewed.
The exchange comes as motorists await the review. Under the current prices, which run from September 15 to October 14, a litre of super petrol costs Sh214.03 in Nairobi, diesel Sh217.86 and kerosene Sh191.38.
EPRA's new prices take effect from October 15. By calculation, a Sh12 increase would take petrol to Sh226.03 and a Sh9 increase would take diesel to Sh226.86. Wandayi did not say whether prices would rise or fall.
EPRA sets maximum prices monthly using a formula that includes the landed cost of imported fuel, taxes and the exchange rate.
