Kenya refuses to back down on Middle East fuel supply deals as political pressure mounts
Kenya’s Energy Minister, Opiyo Wandayi, on Friday defended the government’s fuel supply agreements with Middle Eastern countries, following renewed criticism from opposition parties calling for their cancellation.
Black News 
Kenya’s Energy Minister, Opiyo Wandayi, on Friday defended the government’s fuel supply agreements with Middle Eastern countries, following renewed criticism from opposition parties calling for their cancellation.
- Kenya's Energy Minister defended the government's fuel supply agreements with Middle Eastern countries amid calls from opposition to cancel them.
- He stated that government-to-government deals help stabilize fuel supply and manage costs despite volatile global markets.
- The current system allows Kenya to import fuel from a broader range of international sources, improving supply security.
- Opposition critics argue the deals lack transparency and may not ensure the lowest prices for consumers.
Kenya’s Energy Minister, Opiyo Wandayi, on Friday defended the government’s fuel supply agreements with Middle Eastern countries, following renewed criticism from opposition parties calling for their cancellation.
Wandayi said the government-to-government (G2G) arrangements had helped stabilise fuel supply and introduced more predictable freight and insurance costs, even amid volatile global energy markets, Reuters reported.
He added that Kenya’s fuel supply remains secure under the framework, describing it as a crucial buffer as global tensions linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran continue to disrupt energy flows.
According to him, the current system has also expanded sourcing options, allowing the country to import fuel from a wider range of international markets, including Europe, the U.S. Gulf Coast, India, and the Red Sea region.
Earlier in the week, Finance Minister John Mbadi dismissed opposition calls to terminate the agreements with Gulf suppliers such as Saudi Aramco and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), describing the move as “irresponsibility of the highest order.”
Opposition politicians have argued that the deals lack transparency and may not always guarantee the most competitive fuel prices.
Rising fuel pressure
Kenya, which relies heavily on imports for its fuel needs, sources most of its petroleum products from the Middle East through the G2G framework.
The debate comes at a time when rising global oil prices have already pushed up domestic fuel costs, following a surge linked to tensions in the Middle East. The increases in April and May placed additional pressure on households already grappling with a high cost of living.
Recent data showed inflation rose sharply in May for a second consecutive month, driven largely by higher fuel prices. The spike triggered a transport strike last week, which was later called off after the government pledged to reduce diesel prices in June.
