The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has defended the recent rise in fuel prices in Kenya, blaming the increases on the ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Israel, United States, and Iran.
Speaking on the matter, UDA Secretary General and Senator Hassan Omar said the global fuel crisis has affected countries across the world and that Kenya is not experiencing the problem in isolation.
According to Omar, disruptions in global supply chains and increased cargo costs have pushed petroleum prices higher, despite government interventions aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the full impact.
Global Crisis and Supply Chain Disruptions
Hassan Omar explained that the ongoing conflict and regional instability in the Middle East have significantly affected fuel transportation and availability worldwide.
He pointed to continued blockades affecting cargo movement through strategic supply routes, noting that Kenya is currently receiving petroleum shipments at much higher prices than in previous months.
“We’ve said it time and again, there’s a global crisis. This global crisis is impacting everyone. Fuel prices are going up across the board,” Omar stated.
He further explained that Kenya operates on a one-month staggered fuel delivery system, meaning the current cargo arriving in the country reflects prices already affected by the global crisis and supply disruptions.
UDA Praises Government-to-Government Fuel Deal
The UDA Secretary General defended Kenya’s government-to-government (G2G) fuel import arrangement, saying it has guaranteed stability in fuel supply despite global shortages.
According to Omar, Kenya’s international fuel supply partners have consistently delivered agreed shipments every month, helping the country avoid severe shortages witnessed elsewhere.
However, he acknowledged that the imported cargo now comes at a significantly higher cost due to increased logistics expenses and global scarcity.
“And that heavier cost has to reflect somewhere,” he said while defending the price adjustments.
Hassan Omar Criticizes Israel and the United States
In his remarks, Hassan Omar also criticized the actions of Israel and the United States, accusing them of contributing to global economic instability.
He argued that the international community should pressure the two nations to end actions that are worsening the global fuel crisis and increasing the cost of living worldwide.
“The global community of nations must assert their moral power and authority on Israel and the United States to stop this nuisance they are causing the whole world,” Omar said.
The UDA official maintained that Kenya’s fuel price increases remain relatively moderate compared to other countries.
He cited neighboring Tanzania as one of the countries that has also experienced rising fuel costs over the past several months.
Omar further claimed that some countries, including the United States, have recorded fuel price increases of nearly 40 percent, which he described as part of a wider global trend.
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