Ruto to Chair Urgent Cabinet Meeting on Return from Azerbaijan as Fuel Protests Disrupt Kenya

President William Ruto will hold a Cabinet meeting immediately after returning from the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has confirmed.

Ruto is attending the 13th Session of the UN-Habitat event to highlight Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme and urban development efforts. The forum addresses sustainable cities, climate resilience, and housing access.

Back in Kenya, transport operators have paralysed movement in Nairobi and other counties in protest against sharp fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority. Matatus, taxis, and trucks stayed off the roads on Monday, leaving many commuters stranded. Police used tear gas in some areas to manage crowds.

Speaking in a Monday morning interview, Mbadi said the government would review further options once the president returns.

“We can only hope that this war (US-Iran) will end. But as we hope, we can make some decisions. I am sure that as a government, we will sit again when the president comes back and convenes the executive. We will have to look at what else can we do,” Mbadi stated.

The CS listed measures already taken to ease pressure on pump prices. These include a reduction of VAT to 8 percent and application of the Petroleum Development Levy.

“We have reduced VAT to 8%. We are applying the Petroleum Development Levy to cushion the prices. And that is why the prices are where they are. They would have been much higher,” he added.

EPRA set new maximum retail prices effective for the May-June cycle: Super Petrol at KSh 214.25 per litre, Diesel at KSh 242.92, and Kerosene at KSh 152.78 in Nairobi. The adjustments followed the global rise in oil costs linked to international tensions.

Mbadi criticised the transport sector for launching the strike without prior consultation. He questioned claims that fuel is cheaper in neighbouring countries and noted similar price spikes elsewhere, including an 80 percent rise in the United States.

The demonstrations come as the government continues to push flagship infrastructure initiatives. Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme has seen registrations surpass one million, reflecting strong demand for new homes. The programme forms a core part of broader urban transformation strategies discussed at the Baku forum.

Ruto’s return and the planned Cabinet session are expected to focus on immediate responses to the transport disruptions and cost-of-living concerns while maintaining momentum on long-term development projects.