Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called a press conference set for 12:00 PM on Wednesday April 15 in Nairobi just hours after EPRA announced steep fuel price increases that pushed both petrol and diesel beyond the Ksh200 mark. The event themed “Press Conference on National Matters” was announced through his social media pages under his Democracy for Citizens Party.
Super petrol rose by Ksh28.69 to retail at Ksh206.97 per litre in Nairobi while diesel jumped by Ksh40.30 to Ksh206.84 per litre. Kerosene remained unchanged at Ksh152.78. The increases effective from April 15 to May 14 triggered an immediate wave of public outrage across the country as Kenyans raised alarm over the worsening cost of living.
The timing of the press conference was no accident. Just weeks earlier Gachagua had predicted fuel price increases of up to Ksh40 or more per litre warning that a behind-the-scenes business rivalry involving President Ruto and energy sector insiders would ultimately punish ordinary Kenyans at the pump. Those predictions have now come true almost to the letter.
Gachagua had initially defended senior energy officials from Kenya Pipeline Company EPRA and the Petroleum PS who were arrested amid allegations of irregular fuel importation. He later reversed course describing the situation as a trade war where state agencies were being weaponised to settle business scores rather than protect consumers.
In a recent address in Matuu Machakos County he had explicitly threatened to mobilise nationwide mass protests if the government effected any upward review of fuel prices. He argued the increases would cascade across the entire economy hitting transport food farming and manufacturing costs and leaving hustlers with nothing to show for their daily struggles.
Analysts expect Gachagua to use Wednesday’s press conference to demand immediate tax and levy reductions full accountability on the fuel scandal and a credible national energy security plan. Some observers also anticipate fresh allegations against individuals within the energy sector.
With barely 18 months to the next general election Gachagua is clearly positioning himself and DCP as the loudest voice against the Ruto administration’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis.
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