“Deceitful”: UDA Blasts Opposition Over Fuel Price Claims, Defends Government Measures

By Gedion Nzyoki -

• The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has accused the Opposition of politicising fuel prices, arguing that global market forces are the main drivers of current pump prices
• The Opposition has, however, alleged irregularities in the fuel procurement system, claiming they have contributed to high fuel costs and increased cost of living.
• UDA has defended government interventions, including tax adjustments and the Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel arrangement, saying they are aimed at stabilising supply and cushioning consumers

Nairobi, Kenya – 16 April 2026 – The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has sharply criticised the United Opposition over its recent remarks on fuel prices, accusing rival leaders of politicising the issue for selfish political gain.

UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, alongside other party officials, addressing the press at the party headquarters. (Photo: Courtesy)

Speaking during a press briefing at the UDA headquarters, party Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan dismissed the opposition’s claims on the cost of fuel as misleading, arguing that they ignore both global and domestic factors influencing petroleum pricing in Kenya.

"Let me start by describing the press conference's content as deceitful, amusing, given that most of the details were outright lies, laughable and a calculated misrepresentation of facts well within the opposition's personality's scope of knowledge. At the outset, I wish to reiterate that government has been undertaking concerted efforts to cushion Kenyans from the effects of high prices of imported fuel products. For the opposition figures to exploit a global geopolitical challenge for their political experience speaks volumes about their character, lack of depth, deceit and selfish nature," Hassan Omar Hassan said.

The remarks came after the United Alternative Government on Wednesday accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of presiding over what it described as one of the biggest fuel scandals in Kenya’s history.

During a press conference at the SKM Command Center attended by Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Fred Matiang’i, Eugene Wamalwa and Justin Muturi, opposition leaders alleged that irregularities in fuel procurement had worsened the cost of living crisis facing ordinary Kenyans.

In a statement read by Rigathi Gachagua on behalf of the opposition team, the leaders claimed the government had misled the public through what they termed as staged arrests while shielding the alleged masterminds behind the scandal.

The opposition argued that although emergency fuel procurement procedures had initially followed the law, there was later interference intended to force selected oil marketing companies into the process.

They specifically alleged that Gulf Energy had been inserted into the fuel supply chain despite failing to meet technical and timing requirements, thereby altering the original procurement outcome.

According to the opposition, the alleged interference contributed to record-high pump prices, placing significant pressure on households, transporters and businesses.

The leaders further claimed that some players were making margins of about KSh 5 per litre, translating to nearly KSh 2.5 billion per supply cycle, while ordinary Kenyans continued to bear the burden of inflated prices.

They also questioned the arrests made so far, saying no formal charges had been brought against officials who had been detained.

The opposition compared Kenya’s fuel prices with those in Uganda, arguing that despite relying on the same supply route through Mombasa, Uganda continues to enjoy significantly lower pump prices.

Among the demands issued by the opposition were the immediate convening of a special sitting of Parliament within seven days, cancellation of the Government-to-Government (G2G) petroleum framework, resignation and prosecution of the Energy Cabinet Secretary and all those implicated, suspension of the Road Maintenance Levy, Affordable Housing Levy and NSSF deductions, as well as the removal of VAT on fuel.

The opposition leaders maintained that Kenya could not be run as a profit-making structure for a few individuals and called for urgent action to restore accountability, fairness and economic relief for wananchi.

In response, UDA defended the government’s handling of fuel prices, saying several interventions had been put in place to cushion Kenyans from global fuel shocks.

The party cited allocations of approximately KSh 6.2 billion through the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to stabilise pump prices and reduce sudden increases.

UDA also pointed to the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 8 per cent, saying the measure was aimed at easing pressure on consumers amid rising global oil prices.

According to the ruling party, these interventions have helped keep the retail prices of super petrol, diesel and kerosene relatively stable compared to broader international market trends.

UDA attributed current fuel price volatility to international market disruptions, including geopolitical tensions and supply chain challenges affecting crude oil supply and distribution.

The party argued that Kenya, like many import-dependent economies, remains vulnerable to external shocks beyond the control of domestic policy.

A key focus of the UDA briefing was the Government-to-Government petroleum procurement arrangement, which the party defended as an important mechanism for stabilising fuel supply and managing foreign exchange demand.

UDA said the G2G framework has ensured consistent fuel imports while reducing pressure on the US dollar in the local market by limiting speculative demand from multiple intermediaries.

The party further argued that the arrangement has helped stabilise the energy supply chain and prevent shortages that could negatively affect the economy.

"It is instructive to note that while oil prices have remained extremely volatile, in the international markets, our G2G arrangement or the government to government arrangement has ensured the continued security of supply of petroleum products while at the same time delivering maximum benefits to the country. By a very good margin, we want to reiterate that the G2G arrangement has also helped to address the US dollar liquidity challenges and the exchange rate volatility that were previously choking the economy. The G2G arrangement, as the opposition well knows, has eliminated sports purchases of the US dollar by about 100 oil marketing companies which previously created speculative pressure in the sports market,"Hassan added.

UDA also accused the opposition of misrepresenting past events and policies surrounding the G2G framework, insisting that all relevant stakeholders were involved in its establishment and approval through proper government procedures.

The ruling party maintained that recent allegations questioning the legality and effectiveness of the arrangement were politically motivated and unsupported by available records.

Beyond fuel pricing, UDA urged political leaders to avoid what it termed populist rhetoric and instead focus on practical policy alternatives that support long-term economic stability.

The party also defended ongoing government initiatives in infrastructure financing and social development, arguing that such programmes are necessary for national transformation and job creation.

UDA warned that calls to dismantle key funding mechanisms without viable alternatives could undermine development progress and fiscal stability.

The party further pointed to wider regional energy challenges, noting that fuel price pressures are not unique to Kenya but are being experienced across Africa and globally.

The party cited supply constraints and refining capacity limitations as structural issues that require long-term continental cooperation and investment in energy independence. 

As the debate over fuel prices continues to intensify, the widening rift between the ruling UDA and the United Opposition underscores the growing political stakes tied to the cost of living debate in Kenya.

While the opposition insists that accountability and structural reforms in the petroleum sector are urgent to shield citizens from rising costs, the government maintains that global market forces—not domestic policy failures—remain the primary driver of current fuel price pressures.

With both sides digging in and trading accusations over economic management and public accountability, the fuel pricing question is fast evolving into a central political battleground ahead of future policy and electoral contests.

For now, ordinary Kenyans remain caught in the middle—watching closely, feeling the impact at the pump, and waiting to see whether the competing narratives will translate into tangible relief or further political confrontation.