“After overtaxing you, drowning you in debt and cooking the shadiest fuel deals in our history, this govt now wants applause for ‘negotiating’ a crisis it created,” Maraga Blasts Ruto Over Fuel Crisis, Says Government Created the Problem

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has launched a sharp attack on President William Ruto’s administration over the ongoing fuel crisis, accusing the government of creating the problem through poor economic policies before attempting to present itself as the solution.WATCH VIDEO HERE.

In a strongly worded statement shared on social media on Friday, May 22, 2026, Maraga dismissed the government’s recent fuel interventions as public relations tactics meant to calm growing public frustration rather than address the root causes of the crisis.

The United Green Movement (UGM) presidential hopeful argued that excessive taxation, growing national debt, and questionable fuel import arrangements had pushed Kenyans into economic hardship.

“After overtaxing you, drowning you in debt and cooking the shadiest fuel deals in our history, this government now wants applause for negotiating a crisis it created,” Maraga stated.

His remarks came shortly after President Ruto announced a series of measures aimed at cushioning Kenyans from rising fuel prices following nationwide concerns over high transport and living costs.
Ruto defends government interventions

Speaking during his Coast region development tour, President Ruto defended his administration’s handling of the fuel situation, insisting that the crisis was largely caused by global economic pressures and geopolitical tensions affecting oil supply chains.

The Head of State explained that the government had already spent billions of shillings on fuel stabilisation and tax relief measures to protect consumers from even higher fuel costs.

According to Ruto, without government intervention, the prices of petroleum products would have risen significantly beyond current levels.WATCH VIDEO HERE.

He announced a Ksh10 reduction per litre of diesel for the upcoming pricing cycle and pledged more reforms targeting the transport sector, including discussions involving lending institutions, insurance firms, and public service vehicle operators.

The President also defended the controversial Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel import framework, saying it had helped stabilize fuel supply and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

However, Maraga rejected the government’s explanation, saying leaders were using global events as an excuse to hide failures in local economic management.

He accused the administration of introducing short-term solutions while avoiding deeper structural reforms needed to lower fuel prices sustainably.

According to the former Chief Justice, the country’s current economic strain reflects poor policy decisions rather than unavoidable international circumstances alone.

He further claimed that the government was trying to silence criticism through selective negotiations and temporary concessions instead of fully addressing public concerns.

“They hike prices, blame a global crisis, then compromise a few loud voices into silence and call it leadership,” Maraga added.

The exchange between the former Chief Justice and the President highlights the growing political battle surrounding Kenya’s economic direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Fuel prices have become one of the most sensitive issues in the country, affecting transport costs, food prices, farming, and the general cost of living.

Critics of the government have continued questioning the transparency of the G-to-G fuel import arrangement, with concerns emerging over procurement processes, pricing structures, and the concentration of fuel supply agreements among a limited number of players.

Opposition leaders have also linked rising fuel prices to high taxation policies introduced by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

On the other hand, government officials maintain that global conflicts and disruptions in international oil markets remain the biggest drivers of the current crisis.
Political temperatures rising

Maraga’s latest criticism adds him to a growing list of opposition figures increasingly targeting the government’s economic policies as political campaigns slowly begin taking shape ahead of 2027.WATCH VIDEO HERE.

Although he previously served as Chief Justice and maintained a largely non-political public image, Maraga has in recent months become more vocal on governance and accountability issues following his declaration of presidential ambitions.

Political analysts now believe the fuel crisis could become a major campaign issue in the coming months as Kenyans continue grappling with high living costs and economic uncertainty.

As pressure mounts, both the government and opposition are expected to intensify efforts to shape public opinion on who bears responsibility for the country’s economic challenges.