Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of planning to use jacked up fuel prices to fund political bribes in the run-up to the August 2027 General Election.

In a post on X on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Gachagua accused the Head of State of sanctioning a fuel price increase between KSh12 per litre for petrol and KSh9 per litre for diesel to generate additional money for political bribery.

Gachagua, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also claimed that Gulf Energy would be involved in processing the bribe funds but failed to provide evidence of the allegations.

“Desperate to raise more cash, last evening, he ruthlessly ordered an increase in the price of diesel by Kshs. 9 and petrol by Kshs. 12, for political bribery,” he said in an X post.

Additionally, he accused Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi of readying a justification for the expected price increases based on international oil prices.

“That so-called expert, Mr. Opiyo Wandayi, has been instructed to call a press conference and justify the increase, citing global prices. Pure lies and conmanship!” he said.

Gachagua’s post came as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was set to review fuel prices on Wednesday. The previous pricing cycle, which started on September 15 and ended on October 14 had set the capital’s maximum retail petrol price at KSh214.03 and diesel at KSh217.86 per litre.

On Tuesday, October 13, Wandayi warned that international oil prices had risen due to renewed violence in the Middle East, constraining Kenya’s fuel import budget. According to the Cabinet Secretary, the landed cost of super petrol at the Port of Mombasa had increased from approximately US$1,199 per tonne in August to US$1,385 in September.

Wandayi noted that the cost of diesel had also increased from around US$1,200 to US$1,313 per tonne during the same period.

“Persistent attacks on tankers, pipelines and terminals have constrained supplies and pushed freight and insurance costs higher,” he said.

The government has also sought to extend the eight per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) concession on petroleum products for another 90 days to cushion ordinary Kenyans and businesses against the high cost of living.

In his response to Gachagua’s X post on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Wandayi claimed that the President is not involved in setting pump prices, adding that EPRA is the relevant authority. The regulator’s price review is expected to determine the new prices for the period starting October 15.

Gachagua linked the price increases to the bad public emotions towards the government, especially concerning the high cost of living, governance and insecurity. The DCP boss accused the President of using cash to buy votes as political parties gear up for the 2027 General Election.

The EPRA review will determine whether prices at the pumps will increase from October 15. Any official announcement of the new prices should be treated separately from Gachagua’s claim that the government wanted to use the money to bribe voters.