Ruto Unveils Ksh12.45 Billion Plan to Cushion Kenyans From Fuel Crisis
President William Ruto has announced that the government has spent billions of shillings to shield Kenyans from the effects of rising fuel prices, as the country continues to grapple with a worsening fuel crisis.
President William Ruto has announced that the government has spent billions of shillings to shield Kenyans from the effects of rising fuel prices, as the country continues to grapple with a worsening fuel crisis.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mombasa on Friday, May 22, 2026, Ruto revealed that the government had injected Ksh12.45 billion under the fuel price stabilisation programme during the April and May pricing cycle to prevent sharp increases in fuel prices.
According to the president, the intervention is aimed at easing the burden on households and businesses by minimising the impact of fluctuating global oil prices, which have pushed many countries into adopting emergency measures.
“In total, we have spent Ksh12.45 billion on stabilising fuel prices during the April and May cycle,” Ruto stated.
The Head of State explained that the current fuel challenge is not unique to Kenya, noting that nations across the world are facing similar pressure caused by instability in the international oil market.
Ruto pointed out that some countries have even resorted to directing citizens to work remotely in an effort to cut fuel consumption and reduce strain on their economies.
Despite the challenges, the president said Kenya had taken deliberate steps to ensure the country maintains a steady and uninterrupted supply of fuel while cushioning citizens from sudden price hikes.
“We have stepped up to guarantee a stable and continuous fuel supply across the country and to protect Kenyans as much as possible from the full effects of this global crisis,” he said.
The president further disclosed that the government had relied on the Petroleum Development Fund to finance the stabilisation programme in the last two pricing cycles.
According to Ruto, the government spent approximately Ksh13.7 billion during the April and May periods to absorb part of the cost and shield consumers from volatile market prices.
He maintained that the intervention was necessary to protect families and businesses from unpredictable changes in global oil prices, which have significantly contributed to the rising cost of transport and basic commodities.
The announcement comes at a time when the country has witnessed public outrage over high fuel prices, with transport disruptions and demonstrations emerging in different parts of the country as Kenyans demand urgent government action
