President William Ruto has issued a stern warning that cartels in the petroleum industry attempting to profit from the Middle East crisis will face severe consequences.
The head of state declared that his government will not permit a small group of profiteers to exploit Kenyans through corrupt practices in the oil sector amid the Gulf Middle East crisis.
During an inter-denominational church service at Impopong in Kilgoris Constituency, Narok County on Sunday, President Ruto affirmed his administration’s determination to eliminate all profiteers and cartels operating within the petroleum industry.
“We will address all cartels in the oil sector with firmness, decisiveness and finality,” he stated.
The President emphasized that individuals entrusted with public duties in the petroleum sector must uphold accountability.
He revealed that these cartels would be handled in a similar manner as those previously eliminated from the tea, coffee and sugar sectors, noting his administration’s success in removing groups that had disadvantaged farmers for many years.
“We are dedicated to combating impunity. We have dismantled cartels in the sugar, coffee and tea sectors, and we will apply the same approach to those in the petroleum sector,” he explained.
Furthermore, the President mentioned that cartels involved in distributing substandard and fake fertilizers had also been dealt with.
Concurrently, President Ruto called upon Kenyans to promote peace, asserting that ethnic politics should not be used to create divisions.
He described politics of division, hatred and exclusion as detrimental and obsolete.
“We must reject divisive politics, hatred and tribalism and collaborate to ensure prosperity for everyone,” the President stated.
He continued: “For our nation to truly thrive, we must unite in our efforts.”
In other economic news, the President reassured citizens that the economy is performing well, with inflation reduced to 4.3 percent, the exchange rate maintaining stability at KSh129 for 18 consecutive months, and foreign exchange reserves reaching a record $2.14.6 billion.
“I can assure you that we have successfully stabilized our economy,” said President Ruto.
The President highlighted his administration’s extensive educational reforms, which include constructing 23,000 new classrooms, hiring 100,000 teachers over the past three years, and enhancing funding for higher education.
In Narok County, he announced the establishment of two major sugar companies, indicating that this development would stimulate sugar cultivation locally.
Regarding the Social Health Authority (SHA), President Ruto reported that 415,000 residents have registered in Narok County and encouraged those yet to register to access universal healthcare services.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi suggested that the global oil challenges present a compelling reason for Kenya to transition to electric vehicles.
“As a nation, we must progressively shift to electric vehicle transportation,” Mr Mudavadi advised.
As Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Mr Mudavadi also revealed that 47 out of over 250 Kenyans recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have returned to the country.
Narok leaders, including Governor Patrick ole Ntutu, Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli, and Women Rep Rebecca Tonkei, expressed support for President Ruto in the upcoming elections.
Governor Ntutu pledged that local leaders would work together to ensure residents back the President’s re-election bid in 2027.
Ms Tonkei criticized opponents of the government, suggesting their criticism stems from envy of the ongoing nationwide transformation initiatives.
“People are attacking President Ruto not because of poor performance, but because they resent the progress being achieved across the nation,” she claimed.