Ruto declares all-out war on cartels, vows to protect Nairobi from institutional paralysis

President William Ruto has vowed a decisive crackdown on cartels in Nairobi, insisting that the days of shielding vested interests at the public’s expense are over.

Speaking to the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Ruto called on both county and national governments to join forces in dismantling networks that profit from the city’s dysfunction.

Ruto stated that his administration has already begun dismantling entrenched interests in several key sectors, removing those involved in fertilizer cartels from office.

Disbanding of coffee cartels

He pointed to the success in the coffee industry, where the government challenged cartels that saw single individuals holding multiple licenses as farmers, millers, and brokers.

“We have confronted the coffee cartels that made it impossible for farmers to earn any decent return for their coffee. Just imagine one person was a farmer, had a license as a miller, had a license as a broker, and was also participating in buying coffee at the coffee exchange,” Ruto stated.

According to the President, breaking these cartels resulted in a massive price surge for farmers, with rates climbing from 50 shillings per kilo to as high as 150 shillings per kilo.

“Today, when we broke the cartels, the price of coffee has moved from 50 shillings per kilo to 120, 130, 150 shillings per kilo,” Ruto stated.

Crackdown on fuel cartels

The President also confirmed that he has recently taken on fuel cartels as part of this ongoing campaign.

He warned that the individuals who “shout the loudest against reform” are typically those who benefit most from systemic failures and “institutional paralysis.”

“We must take the cartels in the city head-on, whoever they are, however powerful they are. It is your responsibility, with support from both the county and the national government,” Ruto said.

“There are those who make money through institutional paralysis. They shout the loudest against reform because they thrive on failure. Let me be very clear: the era of appeasing cartels at the expense of public interest must come to an end. Leadership is not about protecting a few people, but delivering justice and order.”

He called upon the county government to take responsibility for confronting these groups in the city, promising that the national government would provide the necessary support to ensure these cartels are dealt with effectively.

“Members, it is your responsibility that of the county government, and you have the national government’s support to deal with it,” Ruto said.

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