UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan addresses the media during a press briefing at UDA Headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, where he defended fuel price adjustments and condemned the killing of Rachel Wandeto Muthoni.
NAIROBI, May 19, 2026 — The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defended the government’s latest fuel price adjustments, attributing the sharp rise in petroleum costs to the ongoing global oil crisis triggered by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, while also condemning the brutal killing of a woman allegedly attacked over her political affiliation.
Speaking during a press briefing at the UDA Headquarters in Nairobi on Tuesday, UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar Hassan said the government had undertaken several interventions to cushion Kenyans from the effects of escalating global fuel prices caused by disruptions in international oil supply chains.
“Since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, the government has undertaken deliberate interventions aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the unprecedented surge in global fuel prices,” Hassan said.
He said the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a major global oil transit corridor, had significantly affected fuel transportation, insurance and shipping costs worldwide.
“The disruptions and market pressures occasioned by the ongoing war, including elevated global crude oil prices, increased shipping risks, higher insurance premiums and longer maritime routes, have all contributed to the rising landed cost of fuel,” he said.
The Secretary General noted that the government-to-government (G2G) fuel import arrangement had continued to protect Kenyans from even higher pump prices by cushioning the cost of imported fuel products.
According to UDA, the arrangement currently cushions super petrol by KSh19.51 per litre, diesel by KSh20.72 per litre and Jet A1 kerosene by KSh18 per litre compared to prices in the spot market.
Hassan further stated that the government had reduced Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel products from 16 per cent to eight per cent and had applied over KSh16 billion through the Petroleum Development Levy stabilisation mechanism during the 2025/2026 financial year to ease the burden on consumers.
“Without these interventions, fuel prices would by now have exceeded KSh300 per litre,” he said.
The UDA SG said the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had, effective May 19 to June 14, 2026, revised fuel prices following consultations with public transport operators in a move aimed at addressing fuel adulteration concerns and easing pressure on the transport sector.
Under the new pricing structure, diesel prices were reduced by KSh10.06 per litre while kerosene prices increased by KSh38.60 per litre.
Hassan said President William Ruto had directed an urgent inter-ministerial engagement involving the National Treasury, Energy and Transport ministries to seek additional solutions to stabilise the transport and energy sectors.
“While last evening’s consultations did not fully resolve the impasse, meaningful progress was made and there remains strong optimism that an amicable and lasting solution will soon be reached,” he added.
He urged Kenyans to remain calm and avoid destruction of property during protests linked to the fuel crisis, warning against what he termed as political opportunism.
“While every Kenyan retains the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and demonstration, criminal actions including arson, looting, vandalism and attacks on innocent citizens shall not be tolerated,” Hassan said.
The UDA leadership also condemned the killing of Rachel Wandeto Muthoni, who was reportedly attacked in Mwiki, Kasarani Sub-county, on May 16, 2026.
Hassan described the incident as “horrific and barbaric,” alleging that the victim was targeted because of a tattoo associated with support for President Ruto.
“No Kenyan should ever be targeted, attacked or killed for exercising constitutionally guaranteed political rights and freedoms,” he said.
The party accused sections of the opposition of promoting political intolerance and divisive rhetoric, warning that such actions could fuel violence and national instability.
UDA conveyed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and called for justice to be served.
