Ruto Adopts Predecessor's Playbook on Fuel Crisis, Critics Note Shift from Anti-Cartel Stance

In a striking turn of events, Kenyan President William Ruto appears to have adopted the very playbook he once vehemently opposed, particularly concerning the nation's persistent fuel crisis. The administration's recent embrace of "government-to-government" (G-to-G) deals, subsidies, and Value Added Tax (VAT) reductions echoes the policies implemented during the Uhuru Kenyatta era – policies that Ruto himself had previously derided as "cartel lies."

This apparent volte-face has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about consistency in leadership. During his campaign and early presidency, Ruto positioned himself as a disruptor, promising to dismantle alleged cartels controlling the economy and to steer Kenya away from what he termed unsustainable borrowing and price-fixing mechanisms. His current administration's reliance on similar G-to-G agreements, which critics argue lack transparency and can obscure the true cost of fuel, stands in stark contrast to his earlier rhetoric.

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President now echoes Uhuru-era excuses he once dismissed as cartel lies.

From a Kenyan perspective, this situation is complex. On one hand, the public is desperate for relief from the high cost of fuel, which impacts every facet of daily life, from transportation to the price of basic goods. The Ruto administration's current actions, while seemingly contradictory, may be seen by some as a necessary pragmatic step to stabilize prices and alleviate immediate suffering. The pressure to deliver tangible economic relief is immense, and political expediency often dictates policy shifts.

However, the adoption of Uhuru-era tactics also fuels skepticism. Many Kenyans feel that the promises of a new economic order, free from the influence of entrenched interests, are fading. The narrative of fighting cartels seems to have been replaced by a narrative of managing the existing system, perhaps indicating that the challenges of governance and economic management are more intractable than initially portrayed. The Standard newspaper, a respected voice in Kenyan journalism, highlights this shift, prompting a national conversation about leadership, accountability, and the true path to economic recovery for Kenya.

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From embracing G-to-G deals, subsidies and VAT reductions, Ruto adopts Uhuru playbook.