It Is The Arabs- Gachagua On Why Fuel Prices Went Up To Ksh200

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, September 22 blamed the Arab countries for the rise in the global cost of fuel that has seen Kenya also affected and forced to raise prices to a record high.

Speaking during the burial of Mau Mau freedom fighter Field Marshal Muthoni wa Kirima at Kinunga Stadium in Nyeri County, the DP attributed the recent fuel price hike to factors which were beyond the control of President William Ruto's government.

He assured Kenyans that the government is working towards providing a lasting solution to the high cost of living, making a sensational comparison that Kenya has the cheapest oil compared to other neighbouring countries.

"When other people talk about the cost of fuel, I beg that the Mount Kenya community should remain silent on this. This is a global issue," he said.

"The prices of oil in the Gulf states have increased. We know about how the war in Ukraine has affected the global economy. Let's be honest, that even if you did a survey across our neighbouring countries, we have the cheapest oil."

Gachagua came to the rescue of President Ruto, whom Kenyans had viewed as the main reason fuel prices as of now stand above the Ksh200 mark.

"William Ruto did not increase the cost of fuel, it is the Arabs that increased the cost of fuel because they are the owners of the oil wells.

"Even though Kuria said we should dig our own wells, we cannot because they don't have anything. It has nothing, even if we dig, we cannot extract, so the ones responsible for the high cost of fuel are the Arabs.

The DP explained that alternatively, the government reduced the cost of fertiliser as the prices of fuel went up to bring about a sense of balance in life.

According to a report by Financial Times on Friday, global prices of crude oil rose to $95 per barrel this week, its highest level of the year, following production and export cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia.

In EPRA's latest price review for the month of Friday, September 15 and Saturday, October 14, the price of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene increased by Ksh16.96 per litre, Ksh21.32 per litre and Ksh33.13 per litre respectively.

Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Ksh211.64, Ksh200.99 and Ksh202.61 respectively up from Ksh194.68, Ksh179.67, and Ksh169.48. 

David Ndii, the Chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisors, responded to the latest hike by blaming the previous government for wanton borrowing which heavily depleted the country's economy.