By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 22 May 2026 - President William Ruto has unveiled a series of measures aimed at easing fuel costs, promoting clean energy, and reshaping Kenya’s transport and energy landscape, even as he maintains that the country is not facing a fuel shortage.
Addressing the nation from Mombasa State House, Dr Ruto urged Kenyans to increasingly adopt alternative energy sources as part of a broader government strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and strengthen long-term energy security.
He said the shift is also intended to cushion the country from global fuel price shocks that have continued to strain households and businesses.
The President’s remarks come at a time when fuel prices and cost-of-living concerns remain sensitive issues, with the government balancing short-term subsidies and long-term energy transition goals.
As part of the clean energy push, the government plans to introduce about 3,000 electric vehicles for use by government officials. They will be used by security and administrative officials. The initiative is expected to serve as a flagship step toward wider adoption of electric mobility within the public sector, while also signalling policy commitment to reducing emissions and operational fuel costs.
Ruto also announced that the first 100,000 electric vehicles imported into the country will be exempt from import duty. The incentive is aimed at lowering the entry cost of electric vehicles, encouraging private sector investment, and accelerating consumer adoption of electric mobility technologies.
According to the government, the broader transition to alternative energy is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including reduced fuel expenditure, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improved energy resilience in the face of fluctuating global oil markets.
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In a related directive, the President instructed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to allow the continued use of graffiti art on public service vehicles (PSVs). The directive follows earlier discussions in which some regulatory guidance had reportedly sought to remove graffiti designs from matatus.
“I understand there were instructions earlier that they should remove all graffiti from their vehicles. I wonder why,” Ruto said, signalling support for the preservation of the vibrant artwork commonly associated with Kenya’s matatu culture.
The move is expected to be welcomed by PSV operators and young creatives, who view matatu graffiti as both a cultural identity marker and part of the country’s growing creative economy.
On fuel pricing, Ruto disclosed that the government has used KSh 13.7 billion from the Petroleum Development Fund during the April–May and May–June 2026 pricing cycles to cushion consumers against rising global fuel prices. The subsidy has been used to stabilise pump prices and reduce the immediate burden on households and businesses.
He further directed that diesel prices be reduced by Sh 10 in the next fuel pricing review cycle for June and July, in a move aimed at easing transport and production costs across the economy.
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