UDA Defends Fuel Price Changes Amid Transport Disruptions
The ruling United Democratic Alliance has defended the latest fuel price adjustments, attributing the increase in petroleum costs to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which it says has disrupted global oil supply chains and increased international fuel prices.
In a statement read by Hassan Omar Hassan, the party said the Government had implemented several interventions to cushion Kenyans from the impact of the global fuel crisis, including tax reductions and fuel stabilisation measures.
UDA said disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, had caused sharp increases in freight charges, insurance premiums and other international fuel importation costs, affecting pump prices in Kenya and other countries.
The party defended the Government-to-Government (G-to-G) fuel importation arrangement, saying it had continued to shield Kenyans from higher costs by saving KSh19.51 per litre of Super Petrol, KSh20.72 per litre of Diesel and KSh18 per litre of Jet A1/Kerosene compared to spot market prices.
According to the statement, the Government also reduced Value Added Tax on Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene from 16 per cent to 8 per cent and has applied more than KSh16 billion under the fuel stabilisation programme in the 2025/2026 financial year.
UDA said over KSh11 billion had already been used since the onset of the current global crisis to cushion consumers, warning that fuel prices would have exceeded KSh300 per litre without the interventions.
The party further announced revised fuel prices effective from May 19 to June 14, 2026, following consultations with public transport operators over concerns about fuel adulteration linked to the wide Diesel-Kerosene price gap.
Under the revised prices, Diesel prices have been reduced by KSh10.06 per litre, while Kerosene prices increased by KSh38.60 per litre.
UDA noted that President William Ruto had directed Cabinet Secretaries in charge of the National Treasury, Energy and Transport to engage stakeholders and explore additional measures to restore stability in the transport and energy sectors.
The party acknowledged that talks held on Monday had not fully resolved the ongoing transport disruptions but said progress had been made towards an amicable solution.
UDA also appealed to Kenyans to remain calm and avoid violence, warning that acts such as arson, vandalism, looting and attacks on motorists would be dealt with according to the law.
At the same time, the party condemned the killing of Ms Rachael Wandeto Muthoni in Mwiki, Kasarani, Nairobi, describing the incident as barbaric and politically intolerant.
UDA claimed the victim was allegedly attacked and set ablaze over a tattoo associated with support for President Ruto.
The party called on investigative agencies and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to address rising cases of political intolerance, incitement and divisive rhetoric in the country.
