Gachagua names President Ruto and top officials in alleged multi-billion fuel scandal
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and several senior government officials of involvement in what he described as one of the largest fuel scandals in Kenya’s history.
Speaking through a statement issued by the United Alternative Government on April 15, 2026, Gachagua linked the recent sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices to alleged irregularities in the way fuel is imported into the country. He claimed the changes could allow certain entities in the supply chain to make profits of up to 2.5 billion shillings at the expense of ordinary Kenyans.
According to Gachagua, the scandal stems from problems in the Government-to-Government fuel supply arrangement. When global oil supplies faced disruptions, the government activated emergency rules to bring in extra fuel and avoid shortages during the Easter period. Two companies were properly selected through a bidding process, but he alleged that Gulf Energy — a firm he claimed is connected to the President — was brought into the deal after the process had closed, through political influence. This led to new negotiations that raised the final prices paid for the fuel, resulting in the increases announced by the energy regulator: about 29 shillings more for petrol and over 40 shillings more for diesel per litre.
The former deputy president pointed fingers at specific individuals. He named President Ruto as the central figure, along with Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, and Oburu Odinga, who chairs the Senate Energy Committee. Gachagua and his coalition demanded that Parliament hold a special sitting within seven days to examine the entire fuel importation system, suspend some charges on fuel, and ensure proper accountability. They also called for the resignation and prosecution of the two cabinet secretaries mentioned.
Gachagua defended three former senior energy officials who were recently arrested — former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban, former Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang, and former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority Director General Daniel Kiptoo. He said they had acted within the law to help protect Kenyans from even higher global prices and should not be blamed for the situation. He warned that the higher fuel costs would push up transport fares, raise the price of goods, and add more pressure to families already struggling with living expenses. The claims have added fresh tension to the political atmosphere as Kenyans continue to feel the impact of the latest price adjustments at the pump.
