The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has dismissed claims surrounding the alleged infiltration of cartels in the fraudulent importation of oil in the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar refuted allegations being spread by the opposition that top government officials are involved in the scandal.
He termed the claims as political exploitation of a sensitive national issue and warned Rigathi Gachagua and Ndindi Nyoro against making what he described as misleading statements.
“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,” he said.
This follows remarks by Gachagua, who claimed that the arrest of Energy Ministry officials was linked to a Government-to-Government (G-to-G) oil importation deal that had gone sour.
He alleged that the arrests were triggered after the officials bypassed the G-to-G framework and shortchanged President William Ruto.
UDA maintained that the scheme involved the importation of multiple high-priced fuel cargoes, with prices ranging between Ksh 50 and Ksh 80 above existing G-to-G shipments — a move that could have triggered inflation and negatively impacted the economy.
The ruling party further clarified that fuel prices will remain stable, assuring Kenyans that adequate safeguards have been put in place to address risks posed by substandard cargo.
UDA also called for a swift investigation into Gachagua’s claims, stating that legal action should be taken if he is found culpable.
The officials arrested over the matter include Energy Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Joe Sang of the Kenya Pipeline Company, and Daniel Kiptoo of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
They are accused of defying the G-to-G arrangement by importing fuel through an alternative entity.
President William Ruto has warned that cartels in the oil and petroleum sector seeking to profit from the ongoing Middle East crisis will face strict consequences.
He reaffirmed that the government will not allow a few individuals to exploit the situation at the expense of Kenyans through corruption in the energy sector.
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