Jubilee Party Leader Fred Matiang’i addresses the media at Daraja House, Nairobi on 20th May,2026.
NAIROBI, May 20, 2026 — The Jubilee Party has sharply criticised President William Ruto’s administration over rising fuel prices, economic hardship and governance concerns, warning that the country is “walking into a crisis” if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
Speaking during a press briefing at Daraja House in Nairobi, Jubilee Party Leader Fred Matiang’i called for the rejection of the Finance Bill 2026, describing it as punitive and insensitive to Kenyans already grappling with a high cost of living and transport disruptions following a nationwide transport strike.
“We stand in solidarity with Kenyans protesting over the unbearable cost of living and unsustainable fuel prices,” Matiang’i said, adding that the country’s economic trajectory required urgent intervention and immediate policy reversal in key sectors affecting households and transport operators.
He accused the government of failing to prioritise economic relief, arguing that leadership had instead resorted to political distractions rather than addressing citizens’ pressing concerns.
“Instead of addressing the real economic pain facing Kenyans, this administration is busy with political distractions and excuses,” he said.
Matiang’i further condemned the use of force against protesters, insisting that demonstrations are a constitutional right.
“The use of force against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable. Kenyans have a constitutional right to demand accountability from their leaders,” he said.
He warned that continued economic mismanagement risked deepening national instability, saying the country was on a dangerous path if reforms were not urgently undertaken and transparency restored in public financial management.
Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta accused the government of deliberately shifting attention from economic hardship by repeatedly invoking retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in political debates.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta served his term, upheld the Constitution, and handed over power peacefully . The current leadership must stop hiding behind his name and focus on governing.”Ole Kenta said.
He warned against rising ethnic rhetoric in national politics, rejecting narratives that seek to divide Kenyans along community lines.
“The tired narrative of ‘41 against 1’ is dangerous and will not divide Kenyans. Every community is suffering under the current economic conditions,” he said.
Ole Kenta also questioned government explanations linking fuel price increases solely to global factors, alleging that key fuel-related levies had been securitised to secure undisclosed borrowing.
“Kenyans deserve full disclosure on how fuel prices are structured and how public levies are being used,” he said, calling for transparency on public debt and fuel pricing mechanisms.
He further raised concerns over insecurity in several parts of the country, including border and inter-county regions, warning that rising incidents reflected deeper governance failures requiring urgent and immediate intervention from security agencies.
Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Jeremiah Kioni dismissed claims that recent protests were politically engineered, insisting they reflected genuine public frustration over the cost of living.
“When basic commodities become unaffordable, resistance becomes inevitable . These are not political demonstrations; they are the voice of ordinary Kenyans.”Kioni said.
He cautioned against attempts to ethnicise economic grievances or deflect blame to former leaders, urging the government to respect constitutional freedoms and avoid politicising legitimate public anger.
Kioni further criticised the state’s handling of public dissent, warning that failure to address citizens’ concerns risked further escalation of tensions across the country.
The Jubilee Party demanded immediate government action on several fronts, including full disclosure of the fuel pricing formula, transparency on the use of the Road Maintenance Levy, and an urgent recall of Parliament from recess to address the economic crisis.
The party also called for urgent measures to address insecurity across affected regions, citing rising incidents of violence and instability as evidence of weakening governance structures.
