Ruto, Murkomen on the spot after old videos of them slamming fuel increases emerge

In most of the videos, Ruto, who was then the deputy president, is seen sharply castigating officials in the Energy sector, wondering why fuel in Kenya was costlier than that of neighbouring countries, considering that they normally import their fuel via Kenyan ports.

Murkomen is also seen in several clips engaged in heated debates in parliament over the cost of fuel, as he slams president Uhuru Kenyatta for mismanaging the fuel sector and plunging Kenyans into harsh economic times.

While drawing contrasts to the current situation, Kenyans have slammed the President and his Cabinet Secretaries for the sudden change of tune, wondering what happened to the same sentiment they held when they did not enjoy power.

In one undated clip shared by former Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto, then the deputy president, is seen calling for the dismantling of 'cartels' in the energy sector, wondering why fuel was cheaper in Uganda while the country used Kenya to import and transport their own fuel.

He said: "The Ministry of Petroleum should explain to Kenyans why dealers have increased their profits from nine shillings to twelve shillings, why the ministry is protecting the whole market and operates now like a cartel that is hurting the ordinary people of Kenya to the extent that fuel products in Kenya are more expensive than fuel products in Uganda and yet the same fuel products come from the same destination and pass through Kenya."

"The people at the Ministry of Petroleum have questions to answer and the corruption cartel in the Ministry of Energy must be broken for the prices of fuel products to come down.  We must say it unequivocally."

In the clip, an angry Ruto continued to posit that the fuel matter was not merely about taxes - it was a plot by wealthy oil barons to enrich themselves and inflict economic damage on Kenyans.

"It is not even about the taxes. It is about the corruption in the Ministry of Petroleum that is aiding a few companies to make super profits while the ordinary citizen in Kenya is suffering high prices," he said.

"So we want first, the market must be liberalised. We cannot continue to have a market that is protected for the benefit of a few people making super profits and millions of Kenyans suffering at the hands of a few companies. We must dismantle that cartel."

In yet another Ruto clip from 2021, the then-deputy president is seen lamenting the rise of fuel cost to Ksh. 135, urging energy stakeholders to sit and discuss ways to alleviate the rising cost of living.

"We are in a tough situation as a country. Fuel has risen to Ksh.135. I want to ask those that were tasked with responsibilities by the president, and the cabinet sub-commitee, to sit urgently and find ways to deal with these tough economic times. The parliamentary committee on energy, as well as the minister, should also advice the president on how to solve the energy crisis... "

In yet another clip from 2022, during the campaign season, Ruto called yet another press conference to address the fuel crisis, claiming that the issue then was orchestrated by oil barons with deep involvement in State capture.

He also flatly refused to accept that the crisis had been occasioned by the Ukraine-Russia war.

"The people telling us about Ukraine and Russia are also telling us that there is no shortage of fuel. They are also trying to blame oil marketers. So they are even conflicted in the reasons why we have an artificial crisis in the country." 

"From their own statement, they are not sure of what to say. Is it because of the war in Ukraine or is it because of the crisis with our oil marketers?  Which is which? And that goes to tell you that this crisis is orchestrated and it is as a result of the cartels and barons who have taken over using conflict of interest and state capture in our economy."

He added, "We should address ourselves to the crisis that is there in the country and the monopolies that have taken our fuel and economic sector captive."

Another old clip from 2021 shows Kipchumba Murkomen alongside other senators debating the rising cost of living, as they lay the blame on then-president Uhuru Kenyatta for his poor handling of the country's economy.

Kipchumba Murkomen: "We have an economy and a country that is being run like a Juakali. Carry your cross. Handshake government must be accountable to the people of Kenya..."

Christopher Langat, Bomet Senator: "Why is the president so silent? The president should come out loudly and save Kenyans. He's aware of it, and he's quiet in the State House while people are suffering."

Kithure Kindiki, Tharaka-Nithi Senator: "They cannot bring their pride and arrogance to this house. We will deal with them. We will not entertain that kind of rudeness and indecency."

Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw'ah was also among the leaders who sharply questioned Uhuru Kenyatta's fuel policies, slamming the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) for what he termed as unfavourable pricing.

Speaking at the floor of Parliament, Ichung'wah said: "It is on record, Honourable Speaker, and on Hansard, that this House actually voted to defeat the proposal by government to put VAT on fuel, but through veto powers that the President enjoys that  was defeated." 

"Today, Honourable Speaker, the cost per barrel is only $72, while fuel is at 135 shillings in Nairobi. We need to ask ourselves, as members are asking, and that is what the committee  should enquire into, why is it that EPRA is even setting margins that oil marketers should enjoy. We must get back to an area or a regime where a competitive economy and a free market economy is operational, Honourable Speaker."

"When Ruto was Uhuru's DP, he directed that Energy CS, PS and Parliament committee meet and give the president solution to rising cost of fuel which was at 135 shillings. Today fuel goes at 246 shillings and all that his CSs and PSs can do is wait for him to return home. Absurd!" wrote a Kenyan on X.

Karen Muthoni said, "The very man who once weaponized the cost of living to ascend to power is now presiding over the exact same fiscal squeeze he used to castigate. The script has been completely flipped, though the actors have merely changed seats."

Yet another Kenyan wrote, "During Uhuru's time, Ruto could not buy the Ukraine-Russia narrative. Suddenly, external factors are a legitimate defense. This administration has swiftly adopted the very handbook they once burned. The rhetorical shift is astonishing!"