Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims that tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are responsible for Kenya’s soaring fuel prices, instead accusing President William Ruto’s administration of inflating petroleum costs through excessive profit margins.
Speaking during a press conference in the United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 19, Gachagua rejected assertions that disruptions in Middle East shipping routes were affecting Kenya’s fuel imports, insisting the country’s supply chain does not rely on Iran-linked routes.
“We should not be told we are having a challenge because of the Strait of Hormuz. Our fuel does not come from Iran, it doesn’t go through the Strait of Hormuz,” Gachagua declared.
“Therefore, this story that we are having a challenge because of the Strait of Hormuz is hot air.”
The former Deputy President said Kenya imports fuel from major suppliers including Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in Dubai and Saudi Aramco in Saudi Arabia, arguing that the government was using global tensions as an excuse to justify rising pump prices.
Instead, Gachagua blamed what he termed “huge profit loading” within the fuel landing cost structure, accusing the government of burdening Kenyans with inflated charges.
“The issue is that William Ruto has loaded very big profit in the landing cost of fuel and that is the way to deal with it,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing public anger over high fuel prices and transport costs, following a nationwide matatu strike that paralysed transport services on May 18 before being suspended for one week to allow negotiations between transport stakeholders and government officials.
Gachagua further urged motorists, matatu operators and owners of agricultural machinery to demand the removal of what he described as lower-quality fuel from the Kenyan market.
The former Deputy President referenced recent controversy surrounding petroleum standards after the government temporarily revised sulphur limits for imported fuel products. On April 30, authorities adjusted sulphur limits to 50mg/kg for automotive gasoil and premium motor spirit, up from the previous 10mg/kg threshold under updated fuel quality regulations.
The changes followed public outrage over alleged importation of substandard fuel products, a scandal that triggered the resignation of senior officials.
Gachagua also linked Kenya’s fuel crisis to oil sector arrangements in Turkana, claiming agreements tied to the industry had contributed to the high cost of petroleum products for ordinary Kenyans.
Despite the temporary suspension of the matatu strike, the former Deputy President expressed doubt that ongoing talks would deliver meaningful relief, warning that the country’s transport crisis and wider cost-of-living concerns remain unresolved.
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