Gachagua claims Ruto ordered fuel price hikes to fund 2027 political bribery

In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua claimed that the president had ordered an increase of Ksh.12 per litre of petrol and Ksh.9 per litre of diesel, alleging that the additional revenue would be channelled towards influencing voters.

He further alleged that the funds would be processed through Gulf Energy, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claims.

Gachagua accused Ruto of resorting to financial inducements to regain public support, claiming that the President was facing growing rejection across the country over his administration's handling of the economy, governance and security.

The former Deputy President also linked the alleged decline in the President's popularity to public dissatisfaction over abductions, extrajudicial killings, corruption and what he described as failed government policies.

He claimed that Kenyans were increasingly demanding money during the President's public engagements, including in his political stronghold of the Rift Valley.

Gachagua further alleged that Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had been instructed to publicly defend the fuel price increases by attributing them to changes in global oil prices.

He dismissed that anticipated explanation as misleading, insisting that the adjustments were politically motivated.

"The extra cash is for bribing voters," Gachagua claimed.

The former Deputy President also suggested that Ruto was increasingly concerned about his political future as the August 10, 2027 General Election approaches.

"The 10th August 2027 reality is setting in on him!" he stated.

Gachagua's claims come ahead of the latest monthly fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Under the previous pricing cycle, which runs from September 15 to October 14, super petrol has been retailing at Ksh.214.03 per litre in Nairobi, diesel at Ksh.217.86 and kerosene at Ksh.191.38.

The allegations also follow earlier criticism by Gachagua of the government's petroleum importation arrangements, particularly the government-to-government fuel deal and the involvement of Gulf Energy.

The claims that the proposed fuel price increases are intended to finance political bribery have not been independently verified.