The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has distanced itself from claims concerning the alleged oil saga and cartels in the energy sector.
In a statement on April 6, UDA Secretary General Omar Hassan dismissed rumors being spread by opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Ndindi Nyoro.
“It is for this reason that the UDA finds it necessary to address the Impeached Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua (Wamunyoro), and his surface-level economic expert, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro. We urge the two shallow-well talkers who have styled themselves as echo chamber enthusiasts to desist from acting at the behest of their Mombasa-based benefactor,” the statement read.
The statement comes after Gachagua claimed that the arrests were not a matter of accountability but were the result of a business dispute tied to the government-to-government (G-to-G) oil importation arrangement that did not go as planned, in which President William Ruto was also involved.
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UDA calls out Gachagua Over Fuel Scandal
UDA Secretary General accused Rigathi Gachagua of making reckless and misleading statements about the fuel saga to the public.
UDA described the issue as having been “regrettably politicized callously and irresponsibly,” warning that such commentary risks undermining a sensitive national matter.
According to UDA, the challenges in the petroleum sector should be handled with restraint, given their implications for economic stability and public welfare.
“On this critical national matter, their commentary has not only been discordant but also conspicuously superficial, betraying a troubling lack of intellectual depth and policy understanding,” said Omar.
Nyoro and Other Critics Draw UDA’s Attention
UDA has urged Ndindi Nyoro to desist from making informed statements linking him with what UDA termed as a superficial analysis of the fuel issue.
UDA has maintained that critics had failed to condemn individuals allegedly involved in a scheme to manipulate fuel supply and pricing.
According to Kiharu lawmaker, the arrest of Joe Sang, Mohamed Liban, and Daniel Kiptoo has nothing to do with Kenyans but with junior officials who made a deal without involving their big boss.
“And Kenyans need to know that those arrests and the circus around it is not a Kenyan fight. It is a fight among elites. It is a fight among who eats what. And the issue of arrests of the EPRA CEO and the Kenya pipeline and the peers for energy and especially the petroleum part, it has very little to do with the welfare of Kenyans,” said the MP during a media interview.
The party states that a group of officials attempted a plan that could have resulted in losses exceeding KSh 3 billion through the importation of substandard petroleum products.
UDA further alleged that the scheme involved efforts to bypass critical quality-control mechanisms, thereby posing risks to consumers and key sectors of the economy.
Also Read: Ruto Breaks Silence on Fuel Scandal, Gives Way Forward
UDA Defends G-to-G Fuel Model, Signals Action
The Ruling party has defended the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel importation model and stated that the framework remains the most reliable mechanism for ensuring fuel supply stability, price moderation, and product quality.
It assured Kenyans that they would not face increased costs at the pump as a result of the current controversy, stating that the pricing framework would be maintained in the upcoming review cycle.
The party also indicated that measures had been put in place to safeguard fuel quality, emphasizing that testing protocols would not be waived under any circumstances.
In addition, UDA revealed that recovery proceedings had begun against those involved in the alleged scheme, proposing punitive sanctions that could rise to KSh 15 billion, describing the actions under investigation as a deliberate attempt at economic sabotage, including:
- No fuel price increase for consumers; G-to-G pricing framework maintained.
- Mandatory fuel quality tests conducted; results to be made public.
- Surcharge and recovery proceedings against importers; proposed punitive sanctions of KSh 15 billion.
- Recovered funds to be ring-fenced for Level Six referral hospitals.
- Investigative scrutiny of Rigathi Gachagua’s conduct; possible legal action if complicity is established.
