Activist Kipkorir Ngetich Accuses Gachagua of Hypocrisy Over Energy Prices

 

Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of hypocrisy and political opportunism over his recent criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration, particularly on energy prices, international trade and the cost of living.

Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, said Gachagua had turned economic issues into political ammunition against President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He questioned what he described as Gachagua's decision to criticise an administration he previously served in as Deputy President, saying his current position should be viewed against his own record while he was part of the government.

Ngetich particularly took issue with remarks attributed to Gachagua concerning President Ruto and the pricing of goods and energy products, arguing that international trade and commodity prices cannot be reduced to political statements.

According to the activist, the prices of imported products are affected by several interconnected factors, including currency exchange rates, inflation, taxation, transport costs, global commodity prices, subsidies and the economic policies adopted by individual countries.

He said the strength of a country's currency has a direct bearing on the cost of imports and exports, arguing that comparisons between Kenya and neighbouring countries without considering currency differences can create a misleading picture of the actual economic situation.

Ngetich maintained that Kenya and Uganda, for example, have different economies, currencies, markets and levels of economic activity, meaning that energy and commodity prices cannot simply be compared without considering the wider economic environment.

He said changes in currency values can affect the cost of imported fuel and other products, while also influencing the pricing of exports, business profits and the strategies adopted by traders operating in international markets.

The activist further argued that energy prices vary across countries because governments apply different taxation policies, subsidies and regulatory frameworks, while international market forces also influence the final prices paid by consumers.

He said statements made by foreign leaders about prices in their respective countries should therefore be understood within the economic circumstances of those countries rather than being used as direct evidence of failures in another sovereign state's economy.

Ngetich also defended Kenya's economic and market experts, saying the country has professionals who undertake research and analysis before major decisions affecting imports, energy, taxation and the wider economy are made.

He described blanket political statements on complex economic matters as an oversimplification of issues that require technical analysis and consideration of documented policy and legal frameworks.

The activist said Kenya's international trade arrangements are guided by established laws, regulations and agreements between governments and other stakeholders, adding that practical trade decisions cannot be based solely on political pronouncements.

He further argued that the cost of energy has wider implications for transportation, manufacturing, agriculture, businesses and household consumption, meaning that changes in one part of the economy can create effects across multiple sectors.

Ngetich accused Gachagua of focusing on President Ruto in an attempt to sustain political attacks against the Kenya Kwanza administration, alleging that the former deputy president was using economic debates to advance his political agenda.

He also accused Gachagua of exploiting sentiments from foreign leaders for domestic political purposes, saying Kenyans should carefully examine the context in which such statements are made before accepting them as an accurate reflection of Kenya's economic situation.

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy activist urged Kenyans to interrogate political claims about the economy using data, official policy documents and independent economic analysis rather than relying solely on statements made by politicians.

Ngetich further alleged that some of the opposition to government policies could be influenced by business interests, claiming that companies and individuals who did not secure government tenders may have an interest in creating negative narratives around the administration. He did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation.

He maintained that political competition should not obscure the economic realities facing the country, saying issues such as currency movements, inflation, taxation and global commodity prices require informed public debate.

Ngetich said the debate over energy prices should therefore focus on verifiable economic factors and the actual impact of government policies on Kenyan households and businesses rather than political exchanges between leaders.

He called on Kenyans to remain critical of political narratives ahead of the 2027 General Election and to distinguish between political rhetoric, economic analysis and independently verifiable facts when assessing claims about the country's economy.