The political temperature in Kenya has reached a boiling point as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—now leading the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP)—faces potential legal action and a DCI probe over explosive allegations regarding the country’s fuel importation framework.
In a series of statements released throughout April 2026, Gachagua has claimed that the ongoing fuel price crisis is not merely a global economic issue, but the result of a “deep business fallout” involving the highest offices in the land.
The Allegation: Stabex and Gulf Energy as “Proxies”
Gachagua has publicly alleged that President William Ruto utilizes Stabex International and Gulf Energy as private proxies within the controversial Government-to-Government (G2G) fuel deal.
The Financial Claim: Gachagua alleged on April 15 that the current pricing structure allows the President to personally gain approximately KSh 5 per litre of fuel, potentially totaling KSh 2.5 billion a month.
The “Business Fallout”: He further claimed that the recent arrests of top energy officials—including former EPRA DG Daniel Kiptoo and former KPC MD Joe Sang—were not about accountability, but rather a “trade war” triggered when these officials reportedly “short-changed” the President by bypassing his preferred entities.
The Government’s Rebuttal
The Ministry of Energy and the National Treasury have moved swiftly to dismiss these claims as “disinformation”:
Stabex Clarification: Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi issued a formal statement on April 5, 2026, clarifying that Stabex International is not part of the G2G arrangement. He emphasized that only local Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) nominated by international suppliers like Saudi Aramco and ADNOC are involved.
Gulf Energy Defense: The government maintains that all local partners were selected based on technical merit and the G2G framework remains the most stable way to manage the country’s dollar reserves.
Legal Backlash: Following these “sensational” claims, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned Gachagua for questioning, characterizing his statements as potential incitement intended to cause public alarm during a period of economic sensitivity.
Context: The April 2026 Fuel Shock
The row comes at a time when fuel prices hit historic highs of KSh 206 per litre (before the VAT cut to 8%). Gachagua’s “United Alternative Government” has used these high prices to demand the immediate resignation of CS Opiyo Wandayi and the cancellation of the G2G deal.
