Hope as Ruto promises further fuel price drop in January

"Niliwaambia bei ya mafuta itarudi chini, nawaambia tena mwezi ujao bei ya mafuta itarudi chini."

In Summary
  • On Friday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced a reduction of fuel prices after months of hikes.
  • Super Petrol went down by Sh5, while diesel and Kerosene were reduced by Sh2 and Sh4 respectively.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto and other leaders during a thanksgiving Mass at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho High School, Kisii County on December 16, 2023.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, President William Ruto and other leaders during a thanksgiving Mass at Cardinal Otunga Mosocho High School, Kisii County on December 16, 2023.
Image: PCS

President William Ruto has instilled hope among Kenyans after announcing that the price of fuel will further drop in January.

While speaking in Kisii during a thanksgiving Mass on Saturday, the President said he will deliver on his promise of reducing fuel prices.

"Askofu amenisifu amesema nimeanza kuteremsha bei ya mafuta, mwingine amesema nimeteremsha kiasi kidogo, teremsha zaidi. Niliwaambia bei ya mafuta itarudi chini, nawaambia tena mwezi ujao bei ya mafuta itarudi chini," he said.

(The Bishop has praised me saying I have reduced fuel prices, another person has urged me to drop the prices further. I told you fuel prices will drop and I'm saying again fuel prices will drop next month).

He, however, said he did not play part in the reduction of fuel prices because he does not regulate the prices.

The President said he will execute his duties effectively where he is mandated to.

"There is no work I put in for fuel prices to drop, I did nothing because the prices of fuel are regulated by some people who have oil, mine is just to announce that the prices will drop," he said.

On Friday, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced a reduction of fuel prices after months of hikes.

Super Petrol went down by Sh5, while diesel and Kerosene were reduced by Sh2 and Sh4 respectively.

In Nairobi, a litre of Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene is now retailing at Sh212.36, Sh201.47, and Sh199.05 respectively.

The prices are effective from December 15 to January 15, 2024.

"The prices are inclusive of 16 per cent Value Added Tax in line with the provision of the Finance Act 2023, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2020, and the revised rates for exercise duty adjusted for inflation as per legal notice No.194 of 20220," Epra said in a statement. 

Kenyans from across all divides have been calling for the reduction of fuel prices as the cost of living keeps skyrocketing. 

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga had demanded the reduction of fuel prices by Sh48 or Sh50.

Raila said the call for the reduction is in line with the decrease in prices of petroleum products in the global market. 

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