Unbothered: Top officials bury their heads in the sand as high fuel costs spark anger

Senior government officials face criticism over their response to rising fuel prices and worsening cost of living in Kenya. [Courtesy, Standard]

As Kenyans continue to grapple with worsening economic strain and unprecedented inflation that has pushed the cost of living up within a matter of days, senior government officials have taken a back seat, appearing unbothered as the economy limps and threatens livelihoods and jobs.

President William Ruto, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, and his Treasury counterpart John Mbadi have instead adopted a strategy of burying their heads in the sand, as the slow response to the fuel shortage crisis deepens.

Their recent conflicting public statements on fuel pricing and availability have triggered confusion, anger and accusations of political double-speak.

But the public statements are also fizzling out as attention shifts to sideshows, early campaigns and a diversionary push, bolstered by calls from some of the president’s allies urging Kenyans to turn to prayer to solve the crisis.

The president and his allies are now seen as fixated on trivial matters and their own political survival at the expense of public needs, despite a looming threat of renewed street protests over high fuel costs.

For a man who campaigned on the importance of low fuel prices, critics say President Ruto’s handling of the current crisis is underwhelming.

On Saturday, Ruto met pastors from Bungoma County at State House, Nairobi.

He went on to announce that the government will subsidise seeds beginning next financial year to boost production and productivity and ease farming costs, while keeping off the fuel issue. Shortly after, he flew out of the country, leaving Kenyans to their devices as the effects of the fuel increases began to sink in.

His two key technocrats in the two crucial ministries have also adopted a similar approach. Yesterday, as Kenyans continued to decry the rising cost of basic commodities and transport costs that are slowly edging out of reach for many, Mbadi was busy politicking in Kisumu.

In his 20-minute speech while addressing ODM delegates, Mbadi did not make a single reference to the current economic situation in the country, instead focusing his messaging on the need to strengthen ODM and defend the leadership of Oburu Oginga as party leader.

“The only thing that I am struggling with is the unity of the Luo community. We must remain united as a community and support President Ruto,” said Mbadi.

In the past week, Mbadi has been on a campaign trail, retreating into ODM politics and leading efforts to build support for Ruto’s re-election, laying the ground for what critics describe as a premature 2032 presidential bid, while also engaging in exchanges with members of the late Raila Odinga’s family.

For instance, on Saturday, Mbadi went all out against Raila’s younger daughter, Winnie Odinga, after she accused him of politicising the National Treasury. At the event in Homa Bay County, his remarks dominated the moment, overshadowing concerns about taxes that have made life harder for many Kenyans.

Critics view this as a diversionary tactic, arguing that the CS is using political battles as a smokescreen to deflect attention from the country’s worsening economic challenges.

Political analyst Prof Charles Nyambuga said Mbadi’s recent conduct reflects a leader seeking to shield himself from mounting public backlash over the economy and the anticipated Finance Bill.

According to the analyst, Kenyans expected Mbadi to fully concentrate on stabilising the economy after joining the government.

“As Kenyans struggle with soaring commodity prices, electricity bills, school fees, and unemployment, critics question why the man in charge of the country’s finances appears more visible in political rallies and ODM wars,” he said.

Wandayi is also deploying a similar approach, as he embarks on drumming up support for Ruto’s re-election while downplaying the impact of the crisis.

The slow response to the crisis by top government officials follows a series of conflicting statements, contradictions and heavy politicisation of the energy sector, even as Kenyans continue to bear the brunt of a struggling economy.

The latest review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) pushed the price of super petrol up by Sh16.65 per litre and diesel by Sh46.29, dealing another blow to households and businesses already strained by inflation.

Fuel prices jumped, with motorists in Nairobi now paying Sh214.25 per litre of super petrol and Sh242.92 for diesel after EPRA’s adjustment, while kerosene remained unchanged at Sh152.78 per litre.

The VAT amendment, signed into law by President Ruto only weeks ago, had temporarily lowered petrol prices by nearly Sh9 and diesel by about Sh10, with the government presenting it as evidence that it was responding to public pressure over the high cost of living.

But the relief was short-lived.

The sharp increase in fuel prices has triggered immediate fare hikes across the country, with matatu operators in major towns, including Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega and Mombasa, adjusting transport charges upwards.

Prices of essential commodities, including maize flour, cooking oil, sugar and vegetables, have also risen as transport and production costs continue to escalate.

Small-scale traders, boda boda operators and manufacturers now say the increases are threatening livelihoods and squeezing already thin profit margins.

Despite the worsening crisis, government messaging has remained inconsistent.

While Mbadi has repeatedly assured Kenyans that the government is working to cushion consumers, Wandayi has simultaneously defended the controversial government-to-government fuel importation framework, which critics blame for market distortions and inflated prices.

The mixed messaging has left many Kenyans questioning whether the government fully grasps the magnitude of the crisis.

Speaking recently, Mbadi admitted that the government had already spent billions in efforts to stabilise fuel prices but said global factors had undermined the intervention measures.

“Let me tell you there is a problem in the Middle East, and this problem has caused a scarcity of fuel, and the prices of fuel have gone up.

“Last month we tried very hard and used Sh6.2 billion to stabilise the prices of fuel, and we reduced VAT by 8 per cent this month. We again added another Sh5 billion to stabilise the prices of fuel, but they are still high,” he said.

Mbadi further promised that the government would hold consultations with President Ruto on possible fresh measures, including adjustments to fuel levies and taxes.

But even as he defended the government’s interventions, Mbadi has come under sharp criticism for appearing more active in political rallies and ODM succession battles than in addressing the country’s economic troubles.

Observers say Mbadi’s increasingly combative political posture contrasts sharply with the expectations many Kenyans had when ODM joined President Ruto’s broad-based government arrangement.

Once viewed as one of ODM’s sharpest economic minds and a technocrat capable of helping stabilise the economy, Mbadi is now being accused of prioritising political supremacy battles over Treasury responsibilities.

His remarks drew responses from Winnie Odinga and Ruth Odinga, who accused unnamed leaders of disrespecting the sacrifices made in building ODM.

Wandayi has taken a more confrontational approach, defending the government’s fuel importation policies and dismissing criticism from opposition leaders.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Last Mile Connectivity Project in Luanda Constituency, Vihiga County, Wandayi defended the government-to-government fuel importation framework and accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of politicising the energy sector.

“If you have any issues concerning the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, face me directly because I am the Cabinet Secretary in charge.

“The government-to-government fuel importation framework did not start yesterday. It has existed before, and those now criticising it know very well how it came into place,” Wandayi said.

The CS maintained that the framework was necessary to ensure a stable fuel supply and cushion Kenyans from global oil price shocks.

But his defence has done little to calm public anger. Yesterday, the president’s aide, Farouk Kibet, appealed to Kenyans to resort to prayer for the war in the Middle East to end, arguing that it has dragged innocent countries into suffering.

He made the remarks during a fundraiser at St Martin’s Bandarasalama Catholic Church in Kilifi, where he linked the high fuel prices to the ongoing conflict.