Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has delivered a strong message to President William Ruto, linking his past political support in the Luhya region to current economic pressures facing ordinary Kenyans, especially over fuel prices and the cost of living.

Speaking on Saturday, May 16, 2026, Khalwale said he played a role in mobilising support for Ruto among Luhya voters, who had largely backed the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“Mimi ndio nilileta Mr President hapa Luhya Nation. Waluhya walikuwa na Raila,” he said, adding that he helped shift political support during the last election.

He argued that the promises made during the campaign, especially on empowering small traders and transport workers, had not been fully delivered. He said the idea of a “government of mama mboga and boda boda” had not materialised in practice.

“Ulikuwa unatuambia ukiunda serikali, utaunda na mamamboga, itakuwa serikali ya hustler, itakuwa serikali ya boda boda. Tumengoja, hatuoni mama mboga kwa serikali, hatuoni wanaboda boda kwa serikali,” Khalwale said.“Hata Khalwale Bull Fighter umemfukuza kwa serikali yako.”

Fuel prices

Khalwale then turned to fuel prices, saying the government must use formal institutions, especially Parliament, to address the crisis. He urged President Ruto to bring structured tax amendments to reduce fuel costs instead of relying on promises.

“Utumie the institution of the Constitution. Ukuje katika bunge, hii maneno ya mafuta, utuletee sisi amendment bill,” he said.

Calls for tax cuts

Khalwale proposed three main changes: removal of VAT on petroleum products, reduction of the Road Maintenance Levy Fund, and use of the fuel stabilisation fund to lower prices.

“VAT iondolewe kwa petroleum products, ndio bei ya mafuta iende chini,” he said. He also suggested reducing the road levy from about Ksh25 per litre to around Ksh14. On stabilisation, he added that funds already in the Treasury could help reduce pump prices immediately.

Khalwale also highlighted the real-life impact of high fuel costs, saying transport has become unaffordable.

“Saa hii kutoka Shinyalu kwenda Kakamega kwa boda boda ni 350 shillings,” he said.

His remarks came at a time of growing political pressure over fuel prices. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly seeking a recall of Parliament from recess to fast-track tax changes aimed at lowering fuel prices.

Nyoro’s push, made on Saturday, May 16, 2026 followed a sharp increase in pump prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). He proposed cutting VAT on fuel from 8 per cent to zero, reducing the road maintenance levy, and using a Ksh5 billion diesel subsidy to cushion consumers.

He said Parliament must act quickly to prevent further inflation and transport shocks, arguing that delays worsen household pressure.