The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defended the government’s handling of the petroleum importation scandal, with Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan launching a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of politicising a matter of national economic security and shielding those behind the alleged fuel scheme.
Speaking on the matter, Hassan described the controversy as a threat to Kenya’s economic stability and fuel security, saying it should not be reduced to partisan theatrics.
“Instead of approaching this matter with the sobriety, patriotism, and unity it demands, certain political opportunists have chosen to exploit this grave situation,” Hassan said.
He claimed that a small group of rogue civil servants had orchestrated a scheme to import substandard petroleum products under the false claim of an impending shortage, exposing the country to losses of more than Sh3 billion.
According to Hassan, the alleged plan would have weakened key fuel quality controls, restricted supply and triggered panic in the market.
“A small clique of unscrupulous civil servants, sworn to safeguard the national interest, conspired to enrich themselves at the expense of millions of Kenyans,” he said.
Hassan then turned his guns on Gachagua, accusing him of siding with economic saboteurs and using the scandal to score political points instead of standing with Kenyans.
“Wamunyoro and Ndindi Nyoro, rather than condemning such characters and applauding their resignations because they are indeed not victims but villains, instead, have sided with individuals who had engineered artificial supply constraints,” he said.
He said Gachagua’s remarks were reckless and dangerous, arguing that they appeared designed to protect individuals who allegedly engineered artificial shortages for personal gain.
“Whereas politics may be contested across many fronts, Wamunyoro ought to be reminded and indeed schooled that matters touching on national economic security demand restraint, maturity, and statesmanship,” Hassan said.
Hassan further alleged that the scheme could have pushed fuel prices up by as much as Sh60 per litre, worsening inflation and the cost of living.
“Their actions were not merely negligent but a calculated gluttony designed to manufacture panic, distort market dynamics, and manipulate supply chains for personal gain,” he said.
The EALA legislator praised the government and security agencies for moving swiftly to stop what he termed an act of economic sabotage.
“The UDA commends the Government and its security agencies for swiftly nipping this criminal enterprise and attempted economic sabotage in the bud,” he said.
Hassan also defended the government-to-government (G-to-G) fuel importation framework, saying it remains the most reliable system for protecting supply, pricing and fuel quality.
