Willis Otieno criticises Kenya Kwanza govt over fuel prices increase
By Nancy Marende, July 15, 2025Lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration for what he termed as deliberate silence and psychological manipulation following the recent hike in fuel prices.
Otieno accused the government of adopting a predictable and insulting pattern where it sharply increases fuel prices without explanation, then waits for public outrage to subside before making minimal reductions and marketing them as major achievements.
“Kenya Kwanza is dead silent, not a single press conference, no explanation, no shame.Give it a month, they’ll reduce the prices by two shillings, then another shilling the next, and flood the media talking about ‘how fuel prices have dropped under this caring administration,” he said.
He noted that this recurring strategy is designed to gaslight the public and manufacture consent through selective media narratives.
“It’s the same tired script: inflict pain, wait for anger to cool, then offer crumbs and expect applause. They genuinely think Kenyans are fools who can’t do basic math or track patterns. But we see them,” he added.
Otieno warned that the government’s silence during times of hardship, coupled with exaggerated celebrations during minor relief, amounts to psychological manipulation.
“They weaponise silence when things go up, and weaponise propaganda when things slightly drop. It’s psychological manipulation by a regime that thrives on gaslighting and manufactured headlines.”
EPRA
This comes a day after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a sharp increase in the maximum pump prices for petroleum products.
The pricing adjustment was confirmed in a statement issued by EPRA on Monday, July 14, 2025, through its official X platform.
Under the new pricing schedule, Super Petrol will now retail at Ksh186.31 per litre in Nairobi after rising by Ksh8.99. Diesel will cost Ksh171.58 per litre, reflecting an increase of Ksh8.67, while the price of kerosene goes up by Ksh9.65 to retail at Ksh156.58.
In the last review, the regulator increased Super Petrol by Ksh2.69 per litre, while diesel and kerosene prices dropped by Ksh1.95 per litre and Ksh2.06 per litre, respectively.
Consequently, EPRA announced that super petrol would retail at Ksh177.32, diesel at Ksh162.91, and kerosene at Ksh146.93 per litre in Nairobi during the review ending on Monday, July 14, 2025.
The new figures factor in a 16 percent Value Added Tax (VAT), as stipulated in the Finance Act 2023 and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act 2024, alongside inflation-adjusted excise duty rates.