Nairobi: The ruling party, United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has defended the government’s handling of the ongoing fuel crisis, attributing the sharp rise in fuel prices and disruptions in the transport sector to the escalating global conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
According to Kenya News Agency, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan, speaking during a press briefing at the party headquarters in Nairobi, said the government had put in place a series of interventions aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the adverse effects of rising international oil prices triggered by geopolitical tensions.
Omar highlighted that the partial closure and disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit corridor, had destabilized international supply chains, leading to increased shipping costs, insurance premiums, and freight charges. He explained that the landing cost of fuel has significantly risen due to elevated global crude oil prices, increased maritime risks, and longer shipping routes caused by the conflict.
According to Omar, comparisons between Kenya’s fuel prices and those of neighboring countries were misleading because every country operates under different fiscal, economic, and supply chain conditions. He emphasized that simplistic cross-country comparisons ignore structural economic differences and fail to provide an accurate assessment of the realities influencing fuel prices in each jurisdiction.
The UDA Secretary General defended the Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel importation arrangement, stating it shielded Kenyans from even higher fuel costs. He noted that the G2G framework had cushioned consumers by reducing the cost of super petrol, diesel, and Jet A1 kerosene compared to prevailing spot market prices, with premium and freight costs fixed at US$84 per metric tonne compared to current spot market rates of over US$260 per metric tonne.
Omar further disclosed that the government had reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 16 percent to eight percent in an effort to ease the burden on consumers. He added that over Sh16 billion had been used in the 2025/2026 financial year to stabilize fuel prices, with an additional Sh11 billion applied as part of the fuel stabilization mechanism since the onset of the crisis.
The party welcomed the recent review of fuel prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), effective May 19 to June 14, 2026, following petitions from public transport operators. Under the revised pricing, diesel prices dropped while kerosene prices increased in a move aimed at curbing fuel adulteration.
Omar mentioned that President William Ruto had directed an inter-ministerial team to urgently engage stakeholders and identify additional interventions to restore normalcy in the transport and energy sectors. He expressed optimism for an amicable and lasting solution despite the ongoing consultations.
He appealed to Kenyans to remain calm and united, cautioning politicians against exploiting the crisis for political gain. He also warned against criminal activities during demonstrations and condemned the brutal killing of Ms. Rachel Wandeto-Muthoni, allegedly attacked over a political tattoo, describing it as a reflection of growing political intolerance.
The party conveyed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and called for justice to be served, accusing sections of the opposition of promoting hostility and divisive politics that could incite violence and instability.
