President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that there is no fuel shortage in the country despite rising global oil prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Speaking at State House, Mombasa, the President said the government has put in place measures to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply through the government-to-government fuel import framework.
“I however wish to assure the country that there is no fuel shortage in Kenya. The government is taking all necessary measures to ensure continued uninterrupted supply and stability in the market. This situation is not permanent,” Ruto said.
The Head of State attributed the sharp rise in fuel prices to disruptions in global oil supply following the escalation of conflict involving Iran on February 28, 2026.
According to the President, disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit route handling nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, triggered a significant global oil supply shock.
He noted that global fuel prices have since surged sharply, affecting Kenya’s landed fuel costs and ultimately pump prices across the country.
The President also stated that the government has spent Ksh 28.19 billion across the April-May and May-June 2026 pricing cycles through fuel stabilization measures and tax relief interventions aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the rising cost of fuel.
The interventions include the use of the Petroleum Development Fund and the reduction of VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent.
Ruto further noted that without government intervention, super petrol would retail at Ksh 230 per litre instead of the current Ksh 214.25, while diesel would retail at Ksh 277.75 per litre instead of Ksh 232.86.
The Head of State also defended the government-to-government fuel supply framework introduced in 2023, saying it has helped stabilize supply and reduced pressure on the Kenya shilling by easing demand for US dollars from oil marketers.
“Without a guaranteed supply, without the framework we have built, there would be a major crisis of foreign currency and there would be a major crisis of supply,” Ruto stated.
He added: “The G2G arrangement has guaranteed supply even when we have disruptions and has also made it possible for us to pay on terms that does not put pressure on our dollar reserves.”
He urged Kenyans to remain calm and united, saying the country has overcome difficult periods before, including droughts, terrorism, floods and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The President further warned against misinformation and politicization of the crisis, saying the fuel challenge is global and not unique to Kenya.
