Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has criticised the government over rising fuel prices, accusing it of allowing cartels and opaque arrangements in the oil sector to influence pricing and burden consumers.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Sunday night, Matiang’i said Kenya’s fuel challenges cannot be fully attributed to global factors such as tensions in the Middle East, arguing that some of the problems are driven by domestic decisions and vested interests.
“I cannot blame the challenges we are facing right now on what is going on in the Middle East. Some of these are man-made,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when fuel prices have remained a key concern for households and businesses.
According to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), petrol has been retailing at around KSh 178 per litre in Nairobi in recent pricing cycles, while diesel has averaged KSh 166.
However, mid-April adjustments saw prices rise above KSh 200 per litre in some instances following increases in global crude oil costs and import expenses.
Matiang’i specifically questioned government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel procurement arrangements, saying they lack transparency and may not be delivering the intended benefits to consumers.
“I would not get into silly opaque agreements that purportedly are G to G, and it isn’t. I would not engage and allow cartels to operate in the oil sector as they are operating right now, clearly driven by vested interests of the ruling elite,” he said.
He further called for reforms at the National Oil Corporation (NOC), saying the institution should play a stronger role in stabilising the fuel market and reducing dependence on private importers and marketers.
“If we were in government, we would not sign that kind of G-to-G arrangement. I would revamp NOC and ensure that it is doing its rightful role in this. Private sector companies and cartels in the marketing sector would not be involved in this,” he said.
Kenya’s fuel importation system is largely controlled by private oil marketing companies, with government interventions often aimed at cushioning consumers during global price shocks.
However, concerns over transparency and the influence of powerful industry players have persisted over the years.
Matiang’i linked the current fuel pricing structure to broader governance challenges, arguing that leadership change is necessary to address systemic issues in key sectors such as energy.
“The solution is why we are asking for the replacement of this administration so that we can provide Kenya with a better government and more responsible leaders. I believe I am the alternative,” he said.