UDA Defends Fuel Price Interventions Amid Global Oil Crisis, Condemns Brutal Killing of Rachel Wandeto-Mugoni

In Summary

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defended the government’s handling of Kenya’s escalating fuel crisis, attributing the spike in pump prices and disruptions in the transport sector to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict and instability along the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, the party strongly condemned the brutal killing of Rachel Wandeto-Mugoni in Kasarani, describing the incident as a disturbing act of political intolerance and calling for national unity, restraint, and respect for constitutional freedoms.

Read More: UDA Defends Government fuel pricing amid global oil Chrisis

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has mounted a robust defence of the government’s response to Kenya’s worsening fuel crisis, insisting that the rising fuel prices and transport disruptions currently affecting the country are the direct consequence of global geopolitical tensions rather than domestic policy failures.

Addressing the press at the UDA Headquarters alongside members of the party’s National Executive Committee, Members of County Assembly and senior secretariat officials led by Executive Director Nicodemus Bore, the party leadership said the government has implemented several emergency interventions aimed at shielding Kenyans from the devastating impact of the ongoing global oil supply disruptions.

The crisis, according to the party, stems from the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has significantly disrupted international fuel supply chains following instability and partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.

UDA stated that the disruption has triggered sharp increases in international crude oil prices, freight charges, insurance premiums and shipping costs, all of which directly affect Kenya’s landed fuel costs.

The party explained that the final pump price in Kenya is influenced by several interconnected factors, including free-on-board fuel prices, financing through letters of credit, freight and premium charges, insurance expenses, port handling fees, testing and recertification charges, storage and distribution costs, taxes, levies and suppliers’ margins.

Party officials argued that comparisons between Kenya’s fuel prices and those of neighbouring countries were often misleading because every country operates under different fiscal policies, supply chain structures and economic conditions.

UDA further defended the government-to-government (G2G) fuel importation arrangement, saying the programme has significantly cushioned consumers against even higher fuel costs.

According to the party, the G2G framework currently cushions Kenyans by approximately KSh19.51 per litre for super petrol, KSh20.72 per litre for diesel and KSh18 per litre for Jet A1 kerosene compared to prevailing spot market prices.

Officials noted that while the government-fixed premium and freight costs under the G2G arrangement remain at USD84 per metric tonne, international spot market rates have surged to as high as USD284.90 per metric tonne for super petrol, USD266.70 for diesel and USD272.03 for Jet A1 kerosene.

The ruling party also highlighted additional relief measures introduced by the government, including the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent.

UDA disclosed that over KSh16 billion has already been utilised through fuel stabilisation mechanisms during the 2025/2026 financial year, with more than KSh11 billion specifically applied since the onset of the current crisis.

Without these interventions, the party claimed, pump prices would have already surpassed KSh300 per litre.

In a move aimed at calming tensions within the transport sector, UDA announced that the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had revised fuel prices effective May 19 to June 14, 2026.

Under the revised structure, diesel prices have been reduced by KSh10.06 per litre, while kerosene prices have risen by KSh38.60 per litre in an effort to curb fuel adulteration arising from the widening diesel-kerosene price gap.

The party described the adjustments as part of broader government efforts to ease pressure on public transport operators and facilitate a negotiated resolution to the ongoing transport disruptions.

UDA also revealed that President William Ruto has directed an urgent inter-ministerial engagement involving the National Treasury, Energy and Transport ministries to explore further interventions aimed at restoring stability within the transport and energy sectors.

While acknowledging that recent consultations had not fully resolved the impasse, the party expressed optimism that a lasting solution would soon be achieved.

The party urged Kenyans to remain calm, patient and patriotic during the crisis, warning against political exploitation of the situation.

UDA cautioned that while peaceful demonstrations remain constitutionally protected, criminal acts such as looting, arson, vandalism, attacks on motorists and destruction of infrastructure would not be tolerated.

The party accused unnamed political actors of attempting to exploit public frustration for political gain amid the crisis.

Alongside the fuel crisis briefing, UDA strongly condemned the brutal killing of Rachel Wandeto-Mugoni, who was reportedly attacked in Mwiki, Kasarani Sub-County on May 16, 2026.

According to the party, reports indicate that the assailant allegedly doused the victim with petrol before setting her ablaze over a tattoo said to signify support for President Ruto.

UDA described the incident as “barbaric,” “cowardly,” and a dangerous reflection of growing political intolerance and extremism within sections of society.

The party stated that no Kenyan should ever be targeted, attacked or killed because of their political beliefs or affiliations, emphasising that Kenya remains a democratic state governed by the rule of law and constitutional freedoms.

UDA further warned that divisive political rhetoric and intolerance risk fuelling criminality, violence and national instability.

The party conveyed condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Rachel Wandeto-Mugoni, calling for justice and national unity in the wake of the tragedy.

READ MORE NEWS