Gachagua Accuses Ruto Of Profiting From Fuel Crisis
Politics Updated: 16 May 2026 08:16 EAT
DCP Party leader Rigathi Gachagua takes off moments after addressing people and media at the JKIA
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday night delivered a lengthy and politically charged address at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before departing for London, where he is expected to hold meetings and engage Kenyans in the diaspora.
“I have, on the request of Kenyans, decided to say one or two things as to what is happening in the country before I depart for London.”
Gachagua said Kenya was entering a dangerous economic phase following the latest fuel price review, warning that ordinary citizens were already struggling to cope with the rising cost of living.
“Kenya is staring at a serious crisis arising from the new prices of petrol and diesel.”
The DCP leader argued that the increase in fuel prices would immediately trigger higher transport costs across the country, affecting matatus, buses and boda boda operators.
“Starting tomorrow, matatus will increase their fares, buses will increase their fares, boda boda riders will increase their charges.”
He warned that the impact of the fuel hikes would extend beyond the transport sector and spill into the prices of food and consumer goods.
“Consumer products will go up, and Kenya is in anguish.”
According to Gachagua, many Kenyans had already reduced movement because of the high cost of fuel, describing the situation as a looming national emergency.
“As we speak, many roads are empty. Kenyans are not able to fuel their vehicles, and we are staring at a national crisis.”
The former deputy president dismissed claims that the fuel hikes had been caused by global market forces or geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“This crisis has nothing to do with international challenges. It has nothing to do with the war in Iran.”
He instead accused President William Ruto and Gulf Energy of allegedly profiting from the government-to-government fuel importation arrangement.
“The crisis that we face is one of state capture and conflict of interest.”
Gachagua claimed the fuel pricing situation in Kenya could not be justified because neighbouring countries importing fuel through Kenya were still selling petroleum products at cheaper prices.
“Our neighbors are getting fuel from the same source, and their fuel is supposed to be more expensive because they transport it from Mombasa through Kenya.”
He cited Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ethiopia as examples of countries where fuel prices were lower despite additional transportation costs.
“Why the prices here are up is because William R. and his business partners are taking too much profit.”
The opposition leader maintained that the current fuel crisis was entirely man-made and accused the president of turning public suffering into a business opportunity.
“What we are having as a problem in Kenya is where the president of the country is a businessman who doesn’t care about his people.”
Gachagua further criticised the government-to-government fuel importation deal, saying it had failed to stabilise fuel prices as initially promised.
“This G-to-G arrangement is a fraud.”
He accused the government of allowing the importation of lower-quality fuel with high sulfur content while still maintaining high prices at the pump.
“The fuel that is in the market today is of low quality.”
According to Gachagua, the increased sulfur content in the imported fuel could damage vehicle engines over time.
“All these cars using this fuel, in the next five or six months, will start having what you call a slow knock in the engine.”
The former deputy president alleged that profits from the fuel sector were being used to finance the acquisition of oil assets connected to Tullow Oil operations.
“I have received information that this profit the president and his partners are making has been used to purchase Tullow Oil.”
He further alleged that a fake debt arrangement worth billions of dollars had been created to siphon profits from Turkana oil production.
“They created a fake debt of 2.5 billion US dollars.”
Gachagua claimed that under the alleged arrangement, most of the proceeds from Turkana oil would go toward repaying the disputed debt instead of benefiting local communities.
“There is nothing for the community. There is nothing for the Turkana people.”
He urged residents of Turkana County to resist any arrangement that would leave them without meaningful benefits from their natural resources.
“The people of Turkana cannot allow William R. and Gulf Energy to take their oil and give them nothing.”
The DCP leader said Turkana’s oil wealth had the potential to transform the county economically and socially if managed transparently.
“The proceeds from this oil can change Turkana to be like Dubai.”
Gachagua revealed that opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang'i and Eugene Wamalwa were planning a virtual meeting to discuss the worsening economic situation.
“We have agreed we will have a Zoom meeting tomorrow so that we agree on the way forward.”
He accused the government of impoverishing salaried Kenyans through excessive taxation and poor economic policies.
“William R., through unreasonable taxation and theft of public funds, has impoverished pay-slip holders.”
The former deputy president said he had been forced to shorten his planned month-long UK visit because of the growing pressure from Kenyans demanding action from opposition leaders.
“I have to cut it short. I will only take five to six days.”
Gachagua insisted he could not remain abroad while Kenyans were suffering from rising prices and economic hardship.
“I must come back because we cannot leave the country when the people of Kenya are in trouble.”
He hinted at possible protests and coordinated action involving the transport sector if the government failed to respond to public concerns.
“If we have to take to the streets, so be it.”
The opposition politician accused President Ruto of ignoring repeated calls to reduce taxes and levies imposed on fuel.
“We told William R. to remove VAT to zero; he has refused.”
Gachagua also accused the president of allegedly using state power to dominate multiple sectors of the economy.
“We have never seen since independence a president competing with Kenyans who do business.”
According to him, the president’s influence now stretched across banking, insurance, hospitality, transport and fuel businesses.
“He is in every business, and businessmen are suffering.”
The former deputy president also apologised to delegates who attended the recent France-Africa Summit in Nairobi, claiming some of them were embarrassed because of poor government organisation.
“We want to apologise to the delegates who came to the France-Africa Summit because of the humiliation and mistreatment they found at KICC.”
He alleged that the CEO of Total was among senior international guests who experienced embarrassment during the summit.
“A CEO having a company that has three, four, five times Kenya’s GDP was embarrassed at KICC.”
Gachagua blamed the alleged diplomatic and protocol failures on politically motivated appointments within government offices.
“There were very serious protocol officers who had experience, but they were removed and replaced with non-professionals.”
In the question-and-answer session, Gachagua defended the opposition’s cautious approach toward organising mass protests.
“We don’t want to be going to the streets the way Rao used to do.”
He insisted that future demonstrations would only be called if there was a clear strategy and achievable objectives.
“When we call people to the streets, there must be fruits.”
The DCP leader said the opposition was considering aligning future mass action with the July 7 Saba Saba anniversary.
“We want to harness all the issues that are a concern to the people of Kenya.”
He listed concerns including the high cost of living, housing levy, pension fund usage, alleged abductions and electoral integrity.
“IEBC is one of the issues we are going to discuss.”
Gachagua also praised the performance of the Democracy for the Citizens Party in recent by-elections, saying the party had made major gains in Rift Valley.
“DCP is a party of the moment, a party of the future.”
He claimed the party had shaken President Ruto’s political strongholds despite being relatively new.
“We gave William R. a run for his money in his perceived stronghold.”
The former deputy president alleged that voter bribery affected the final outcome of the by-election results.
“Millions of shillings were released the night before in two wards.”
Despite the allegations, Gachagua insisted DCP was rapidly growing and attracting support from leaders across several counties.
“DCP cannot be bought. DCP cannot be intimidated.”
He concluded by expressing confidence that the party would eventually form the next government and secure majorities in Parliament and county assemblies.
“DCP is the party of the present and the future.”
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