UDA dismisses claims on oil cartel infiltration

In a statement on Monday, UDA Secretary General Omar Hassan dispelled rumors being spread by the opposition that top government officials are involved in the scandal.

He termed the claims as mere political exploitation of the matter, warning DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Kiharu MP Ndinda Nyoro to desist from making the misinformed statements.

“On this critical national matter, their commentary has not only beendiscordant but also conspicuously superficial, betraying a troubling lack of intellectual depth and policy understanding,” he said.

This is after Gachagua claimed that the arrest of energy Ministry officials was a result of a Government-to-Government oil importation gone sour.

He alleged that the arrest came after the officials bypassed the G-to-G deal and shortchanged President William Ruto.

UDA maintained that the scheme involved importing multiple highly priced cargoes between Ksh. 50 and Ksh. 80 above existing G-to-G shipments,

a move that would have triggered runaway inflation, crippled the economy.

The ruling party further clarified that no fuel prices will change and adequate safeguards have been instituted to mitigate risks posed by substandard cargo.

It also called for an expeditious probe against Rigathi Gachagua, demanding legal action if he will be found culpable.

The arrested officials include Energy Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, Joe Sang of 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 Ruto has warned that cartels in the oil and petroleum industry out to profit from the crisis in the Middle East will be severely punished.

He affirmed that the government will not allow a few profiteers to take advantage of the crisis to exploit Kenyans through corruption in the petroleum industry.