“Kenyans Are on Their Own”: Gachagua Explodes Over Fuel Price Hike Amid Scandal

By James Murimi - Reporter

Kenya, 15 April 2026 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday delivered a scathing indictment of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of orchestrating a multi-billion fuel scandal and abandoning Kenyans to economic hardship.

Reading a joint statement on behalf of opposition leaders, Gachagua declared: “Kenyans are on their own and the entire energy value chain is completely a criminal enterprise under William Ruto.”

The explosive statement paints a picture of a deeply entrenched cartel manipulating fuel imports, procurement, and pricing - allegations that, if proven, could trigger one of the biggest political crises in recent years.

Gachagua described the unfolding saga as “one of the greatest fuel scandals in the history of independent Kenya,” accusing the President of misleading the public over recent arrests of top energy officials.

He dismissed the arrests of former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, former EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo, and former Kenya Pipeline MD Joe Sang as political theatre.

“They had no case to answer as they followed and applied the law strictly. The real culprits… remain untouched,” he said.

Instead, the opposition squarely placed blame on the highest levels of government, alleging that President Ruto and his inner circle manipulated the fuel importation system for profit.

In one of the most direct attacks yet, Gachagua claimed: “The team leader for this oil scandal is Mr. William Ruto… together with… the CS for Energy… and… the Chairperson of the Senate Energy Committee.”

He further alleged that powerful interests interfered with a legally conducted emergency fuel procurement process after a Middle East supply disruption.

According to the statement, a company linked to the President was initially disqualified but later forced into the deal.

“He issued clear instructions that [the company’s] bids be affixed to the procurement process and awarded with immediate effect,” Gachagua claimed.

The opposition accused the President of engineering a cover-up to justify the purge of officials who resisted political pressure.

“Through a macabre architecture… Mr. William Ruto orchestrated a terrible propaganda that the fuel supplied was sub-standard,” Gachagua said.

He added that the narrative of “crushed oil cartels” was meant to “hoodwink and fool the people of Kenya.”

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The statement links the alleged manipulation directly to the latest fuel price hikes, which have seen petrol and diesel surge to unprecedented levels.

“Kenyans now have to pay for the greed… not only on the pump but across all sectors of the economy,” Gachagua warned.

He claimed the new pricing structure would generate massive profits for those behind the scheme, even as citizens struggle with the rising cost of living.

In a bold challenge to the Head of State, the opposition issued a seven-day ultimatum.

“Mr. William Ruto… this is the time… put Wanjiku first,” Gachagua said.

They demanded an urgent special sitting of Parliament to scrap the government-to-government fuel import deal, which they say benefits “handpicked” firms tied to political elites.

The opposition also called for the resignation and prosecution of senior officials, alongside sweeping tax relief measures.

These include suspending the road maintenance levy, halting housing deductions, and removing VAT on fuel.

Gachagua closed with a pointed challenge that underscores the opposition’s case:

“If the officers followed the law… what crime have they committed?”

By press time, the government had not issued a response to the allegations that now threaten to ignite a fresh political storm.