Relief for Motorists: CS Wandayi Confirms Impending Diesel Price Reduction

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has officially confirmed that the government is finalizing plans to implement a Ksh10 reduction in the price of diesel. The move, which follows a direct directive from President William Ruto, is set to take effect during the upcoming June-July fuel pricing cycle, providing a crucial reprieve for households and businesses grappling with the soaring cost of living.

The planned adjustment is part of a broader government strategy to stabilize pump prices and mitigate the economic shockwaves caused by volatile global oil markets. Addressing stakeholders, CS Wandayi emphasized that the administration remains committed to cushioning consumers, noting that previous interventions have already seen billions of shillings from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund deployed to manage price fluctuations.

“We are acting in strict accordance with the President’s directive,” Wandayi stated. “The upcoming review is designed to provide immediate relief to the transport, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors, which remain the primary engines of our economy.”

This intervention arrives at a critical juncture following weeks of intense pressure from the transport industry. Earlier in May, nationwide protests by matatu operators and cargo transporters paralyzed movement across major towns as the cost of diesel breached the Ksh240 mark. While the government has faced calls to completely eliminate fuel taxes, the Cabinet Secretary maintained that the administration must balance consumer relief with fiscal sustainability.

Industry experts observe that the reduction is intended not only to ease the burden on transport operators but also to curb the risk of fuel adulteration, as officials seek to narrow the price gap between diesel and other petroleum products. The government has also pointed to the stability offered by the current Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework, which has shielded Kenya from even more extreme price spikes seen in other global markets.