President William Ruto has come out to defend the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework, stating that without it, the country could be facing a significant fuel shortage.

Speaking during a roadside rally in Kisii on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, amid growing calls to scrap the G-to-G deal, the president insisted that the arrangement has ensured a steady fuel supply in the country.

Ruto noted that several countries are now benchmarking Kenya’s fuel supply model, seeking to understand how the country has managed to avoid a fuel crisis despite ongoing unrest in the Middle East that has driven global fuel prices upward.

“Tulikuwa na shida kubwa hapoo nyuma, lakini mungu akatusaidia tukawa na mpango wa G to G, ambayo ilikuja kuokoa taifa letu la kenya wakati wengine walikuwa wanahaingika kenya, sisi tulikuwa tumejipanga, hadi wengine wanakuja kutuliza ni vipi sisi tulikuwa tumefanya,” Ruto said.

Taxes on fuel

He further argued that the G-to-G framework has made Kenya an attractive fuel destination within the region, enhancing its strategic position in the energy sector.

The president also addressed the recent increase in fuel prices, as announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, when diesel prices rose by Ksh40 and petrol by Ksh28.

According to Ruto, the situation could have been worse if the government had not reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel from 16 per cent to 13 per cent. He added that without the petroleum stabilisation levy that has injected over Ksh6 billion as a fuel subsidy, prices would have risen even further beyond the levels set by EPRA.

United Opposition’s rebuttal

However, the United Opposition has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the G-to-G fuel deal

Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on the president to immediately instruct the National Assembly Speaker to convene an urgent special sitting within the next seven days.

The proposed special sitting, according to the opposition, is meant to deliberate on the scrapping of the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel procurement framework, an initiative which the Democracy for Citizens Party leader claims involves a few handpicked companies linked to the interests of a senior government official.

“President William Ruto, you must immediately instruct the National Assembly speaker to convene a special sitting to scrap G-to-G,” Gachagua stated.