NAIROBI, May 22 – President William Ruto has announced a cut in diesel prices after protests across the country over high fuel costs that have pushed up living expenses and disrupted transport services.
The government said diesel prices will drop by 10 Kenyan shillings ($0.0772) per litre in the June–July pricing period with the move aimed at easing pressure on households and stabilising fuel prices.
The decision follows a two-day strike by public transport operators earlier this week, which turned violent and left at least four people dead and about 30 others injured, according to officials.
Ruto said the price cut will be supported through a government-to-government fuel supply deal designed to keep fuel imports stable despite global disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict. He also noted that the government has already spent about 28.1 billion Kenyan shillings on fuel relief measures, including tax cuts between April and June, to help reduce the impact of high energy costs.
Only weeks earlier, Kenya had raised fuel prices by as much as 23.5% for the May–June period due to higher global crude oil prices and supply pressures. The latest move is seen as a reversal of those increases as the government tries to manage public anger and rising transport and living costs.
Fuel prices remain a major factor in inflation in Kenya, affecting transport fares, food prices, and everyday household spending.
