Fuel prices driven by global war shock, not State failure, says Energy PS Wachira

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‎Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira has defended the recent increase in fuel prices, attributing the surge to global supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East rather than local government policies.

‎Wachira said Kenya, like many other countries, is feeling the impact of instability in the global energy market following the ongoing war in the Middle East.

‎“The price of fuel has not gone up because of anyone. It has gone up because of the war somewhere,” Wachira said.

‎He explained that diesel prices in particular had sharply increased globally due to disruptions in international supply chains and heightened uncertainty in oil-producing regions.

‎“The energy of the world is very important, and the current diesel prices in the Middle East have shot up,” he said Friday amid growing public concern over rising transport and commodity costs.

‎He argued that the crisis had exposed the vulnerability of countries that rely heavily on imported refined petroleum products, noting that Kenya and the wider East African region remain exposed to global shocks due to limited local refining capacity.

‎Wachira said the government is now pushing for long-term solutions, including the construction of a local refinery and commercial oil production in Turkana County, to reduce dependence on foreign fuel supplies.

‎“But if we had our own refinery, which is what the President is urging us to construct, we would be at the end of having commercial exploration fields in Lokichar so that we can have our own fuel,” he said.

‎He added that domestic refining capacity would help cushion the country against future global crises and price volatility.

‎“So that in case of such issues, we can be cushioned as a republic,” he added.

‎Wachira further referenced recent remarks by President William Ruto during his visit to Tanzania, where the Head of State called on East African nations to invest jointly in regional refining infrastructure.

‎“You heard the President recently, while in Tanzania, saying it is very important for us, people of East Africa, to have our own refineries because when we get supply shocks, like we are currently having, then if we have a refinery within our own area of Eastern Africa, then we are kind of cushioned from the supply shocks,” he said.

‎The remarks come amid rising pressure on the government over escalating fuel prices that have triggered concern among matatu operators, businesses and consumers, with some transport operators threatening industrial action over increased operating costs.

‎Opposition leaders have also intensified criticism of the government, arguing that ordinary Kenyans are bearing the brunt of rising fuel and transport expenses.

‎Matatu operators have announced they will go on strike on Monday to protest over it.