Political Ringside is a Kenyan political show that brings sharp talk on current issues in the country. The show aims to give clear analysis from the front row, helping viewers understand what is really happening behind the news.
In the latest episode, Kevin Waswa sat down with Engineer Lenox Ndeda to look at Kenya’s rising fuel prices. The question they tackled was simple: are these high prices caused by problems around the world, or is it mostly because of choices made by the government?
Lenox Ndeda, who works in the energy sector and serves as secretary general of the Kenya Youth Federation, argued that global excuses like tensions between the US and Iran are not the main reason.
He said the real issues lie closer to home in policy decisions.
Ndeda pointed out that Kenya pays some of the highest fuel prices in the region. He compared it with neighbours such as Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Ethiopia. Many of these countries also use the port in Mombasa, yet their pump prices are lower.
This difference, he explained, points to local factors like heavy taxation.
A big part of what people pay at the station goes to VAT and other taxes. The guest questioned why the government seems to focus more on collecting revenue than on giving relief to citizens who are already struggling with the high cost of living.
The effects of expensive fuel reach many parts of daily life. Ndeda noted that agriculture makes up about 60 percent of Kenya’s economy.
When fuel costs go up, farmers spend more on machines, transport, and harvesting. That pushes food prices higher for everyone.
Even electricity can feel the pinch because some power stations use fuel when water levels are low or other sources are not enough.
This touches households through higher costs for tokens and affects businesses too.
During the talk, Ndeda reminded viewers of past statements by President William Ruto. When he was deputy president, Ruto had criticised fuel price rises under the previous government, blaming things like the Russia-Ukraine war.
Now, similar explanations are being used again, and Ndeda called this a pattern of shifting blame instead of fixing local problems. He also touched on political differences, mentioning figures like Ndindi Nyoro and Kuria Kimani, whose positions on taxes and spending have sparked debate inside ruling circles.
Another point raised was Kenya’s own oil resources in Turkana. Ndeda said the country should do more to refine crude oil locally instead of exporting it raw through projects like the East African Crude Oil Pipeline. Building local capacity could create jobs and bring down costs in the long run.
He criticised short-term fixes and called for leadership that thinks 30 years ahead, not just for the next election.
On the positive side, Ndeda mentioned that the government recently cut VAT on fuel from 16 percent to 8 percent. This step helped calm some anger and put planned protests on hold.
Still, he urged Kenyans to keep demanding better results while also voting wisely to remove leaders who do not deliver.
The conversation on Political Ringside stayed calm but direct. It showed how one issue like fuel can connect to bigger questions of trust, accountability, and economic direction.
For many families in Nairobi and across the country, every extra shilling at the pump means less money for food, school, or rent. The episode left viewers to decide for themselves whether the crisis is truly global or needs stronger action at home.
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