People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has sparked debate online after linking rising fuel prices and the high cost of living to the administrations of President William Ruto and the late former President Daniel arap Moi.
The former Justice Minister shared on her X account a 1997 newspaper notice showing fuel prices during Moi’s era and compared it with the latest increase announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
“I was forwarded this image on WhatsApp, and it’s been making rounds all week. This was June 1997. Moi was in power. Fuel prices and cost of living were high and our rights were under attack. Twenty-nine years later, different era, same struggle,” Karua posted.
She argued that Kenya’s economic challenges have persisted because of corruption, poor governance and misplaced priorities.
“Kenya is blessed with so much potential, we cannot remain trapped in an endless cycle of corruption, poor priorities and injustice. We must unite and put in place leadership that can truly break this endless cycle of unnecessary misfortune,” she stated.
Her remarks triggered mixed reactions online, with some social media users accusing her of selectively criticising certain administrations while overlooking periods when she served in government.
One X user, Daniel Mwanzia, said former President Uhuru Kenyatta should also have been included in the discussion over fuel prices and the cost of living.
Others questioned Karua’s record while serving in the administration of the late former President Mwai Kibaki, arguing that many politicians tend to become more critical once out of government.
However, some users defended Karua’s remarks, saying her comments were aimed at highlighting Kenya’s long-standing economic and governance challenges rather than targeting a specific administration.
The debate comes amid public concern following EPRA’s latest fuel price review, which saw a significant increase in pump prices across the country.
EPRA attributed the rise to higher global petroleum prices, exchange rate fluctuations and the implementation of statutory taxes, including the eight per cent Value Added Tax on petroleum products under Legal Notice No. 70 of April 15, 2026.
Under the latest review, the prices of Super Petrol and Diesel increased by Sh28.69 and Sh40.30 per litre, respectively.
“The Authority has calculated the prices based on 8% VAT on petroleum products. Further, the government will in this cycle cushion consumers through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund by utilising approximately Sh5 billion to subsidise Diesel and Kerosene prices,” EPRA said in a statement issued on May 14.
