Peter Mbae: If Ruto was genuine, he would have addressed the nation on fuel crisis
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, April 16, 2026The secretary for planning and economic affairs in the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Peter Mbae, has argued that President William Ruto would have addressed the nation had he been a true leader, demanding a more proactive and open way of dealing with the fuel crisis.
In an interview with a local TV station on Thursday, April 16, 2026, Mbae stated that the current administration is exploiting global tensions to justify local economic decisions that are negatively impacting the average Kenyan. Mbae has slammed William Ruto, claiming that leadership must be at the level of working with citizens at a time when the country is straining economically.
“The war in Iran has nothing to do with the fuel crisis we are experiencing today. Unfortunately, the government used this crisis to profit at the expense of Kenyans, instead of cushioning them. Why make fuel changes and hikes at night, when people are asleep, only to shock them in the morning?” Mbae said.
Mbae has further dismissed claims that the current tensions in Iran have any relationship with the current fuel crisis in Kenya, claiming that the situation is being distorted to cover up what he terms as inept intentional policies.
Mbae also condemned the way the fuel price adjustments are announced and insinuated that the government is not transparent and accountable. He questioned the timing and manner of announcing important decisions like these at the end of the night.
The govt revises VAT on fuel
The comments by Peter Mbae have come at a time when the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has announced a reduction in fuel prices late Wednesday following a government decision to lower the value-added tax on petroleum products, a move expected to ease pressure on consumers and businesses.
In a notice issued on the night of April 15, 2026, EPRA said the changes were made in line with a tax revision by the National Treasury.
“Pursuant to Legal Notice No. 70 dated 15th April 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury has revised the value-added tax rate from 13% to 8%,” the authority said.
The updated petroleum pump price list, EPRA said, is contained in Annex I, while a detailed breakdown for Nairobi appears in Annex II.
The tax adjustment has led to a decline in the cost of petrol and diesel.
“As a result, the pump price per litre in Nairobi for Super Petrol and Diesel decreases by Ksh9.37 and Ksh10.21 per litre, respectively, while that of Kerosene remains unchanged,” the notice stated.
At the same time, the subsidy on kerosene has been reduced.