Gachagua cautions motorists over low-quality fuel

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua  at Korompoi village in Kajiado county. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of sanctioning the importation of substandard and potentially dangerous fuel into the country, warning of dire consequences for motorists and the economy.

Gachagua claimed that excessive sulphur content in imported fuel could have devastating mechanical effects, warning of “national crisis” in the near future. 

“Experts have told me that excessive sulphur in the fuel will translate into sulphuric acid and this will cause corrosion to the engine cylinders, pistons and rings,” he said.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party leader warned that within months, vehicles would begin developing engine problems. 

“Eventually, all vehicles using this fuel will have a slow knock. We are staring at a national crisis,” he added.

He spoke on Friday at Olturoto Village in Kitengela, Kajiado County, where he had attended a thanksgiving ceremony for Mr David Parseina, who is the DCP National chairman.

He faulted oil marketers and regulators for allegedly allowing the circulation of what he termed as “substandard fuel,” arguing that it would cripple key sectors.

“Why do you allow the distribution of fuel that will destroy vehicles, bodas bodas, tractors, matatus and buses?” he posed.

Gachagua appeared to link the issue to recent regulatory changes lowering the fuel standard by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, accusing the government of weakening fuel quality controls. 

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua  at Korompoi , village in Kitengela Kajiado county, at the home of David Ole Parseina where he is attending a thanks giving ceremony [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Gachagua also urged the Maa community and Kenyans at large to reject President William Ruto and his administration, saying he is a “pathological liar”.

He said Kenyans have a reason to reject President Ruto, after being shortchanged with fake promises.

Gachagua said President Ruto continues telling lies to Kenyans even without feeling ashamed.

‘’It’s now evident that 90 percent of President Ruto’s promises on projects are lies, this is the reason why as the opposition, we are telling Kenyans to reject him come the next general election. He must remain a one-term president,’’ said Gachagua.

The DCP Party leader claimed that President Ruto’s “con game” is over and Kenyans are now aware of his tactics.

‘’As Ruto continues to lie about projects in the whole country, Kajiado county has not been left behind. He promised the Maasai community that after being elected as president, he would come up with an economic forum charter that would introduce a livestock bill in parliament, but until today, that has become a daydream, said Gachagua.

He also reminded the people of Kajiado that President Ruto had promised to connect Kitengela town with fresh water and a sewer line, but this has not been done four years down the line. 

‘’He has been accusing us, saying we are tribalists. Yesterday, we saw him on television trying to plead with his tribesmen, where he appealed to them not to forsake him during these trying times. This shows very well that he has been rejected by all the regions and now he is running back home’’ said the former Deputy President.

Gachagua also took a swipe with the construction of the new Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway line, saying it is just a hoax.

‘’I challenge you today to publish the contract showing the commencement and when the project will come to an end if you are sure these are not the obvious lies said the DCP party leader.  

Gachagua was accompanied by Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki, Karungo wa Thangwa (Kiambu) Joe Nyutu Muranga, among other leaders.