Kenyan President William Ruto has come out in defense of his government's petroleum importation framework, known as Government-to-Government (G-to-G), following criticism from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The G-to-G model was introduced in 2022 to eliminate middlemen from fuel procurement, with the aim of stabilizing energy costs and preserving foreign exchange reserves. President Ruto emphasized that the new model has sorted out the problem in a permanent way, providing a better approach than any other country.
President Ruto made these remarks while addressing members of the Kenyan diaspora in New York on September 20, 2026. He stated that eliminating brokers in fuel importation was one of the administration's top priorities upon assuming office in 2022. According to President Ruto, Kenya's landed petroleum costs remain lower than those of neighboring nations, and he challenged critics to review regional pricing structures. This assertion comes after President Museveni alleged that Kenyan intermediaries had previously inflated fuel costs for Uganda.
The criticism from Uganda's President Museveni prompted Kampala to seek alternative procurement avenues for fuel. President Museveni's comments were in response to the role of intermediaries in regional fuel supply chains. However, President Ruto remains confident in the G-to-G model, stating that it is a better approach than any other country. Several African countries, including Malawi and Burundi, have engaged Kenya to study the operational design of the G-to-G model.
The Kenyan government's decision to eliminate middlemen from fuel procurement has received attention from various countries in the region. President Ruto's administration has been working to stabilize energy costs and preserve foreign exchange reserves. The G-to-G model has been in operation since 2022, and President Ruto believes it has been successful in achieving its objectives.
Responding to criticisms raised by Kenya's political opposition regarding the cost-effectiveness of the arrangement, President Ruto invited observers to review regional pricing structures. He emphasized that Kenya's landed petroleum costs are lower than those of neighboring nations. This, according to President Ruto, demonstrates that the G-to-G model is working as intended.
The G-to-G model has attracted interest from other African countries, with Malawi and Burundi seeking to study its operational design. President Ruto's remarks demonstrate the Kenyan government's confidence in the model, which has been in operation for over four years. The model aims to provide a stable and cost-effective way of importing fuel.
President Ruto's defense of the G-to-G fuel deal comes at a time when Kenya is working to strengthen its energy sector. The government has been working to ensure that the country has a stable and reliable supply of fuel. With several countries in the region expressing interest in the G-to-G model, Kenya's approach to fuel importation is likely to have a significant impact on the region.
Key points
- President Ruto defends Kenya's G-to-G fuel import deal against criticism from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
- The G-to-G model aims to eliminate middlemen from fuel procurement and stabilize energy costs.
- Several African countries, including Malawi and Burundi, have expressed interest in studying the operational design of the G-to-G model.
