UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has issued a public apology after comments he made during the recent nationwide fuel strike protests triggered sharp backlash, particularly from communities in Central Kenya.
In a press statement dated May 24, 2026, Omar moved to distance himself from the controversy, insisting that his critics misread his words and stripped them entirely of their original context. He clarified that his remarks fell within his longstanding advocacy around historical land injustices in the Coast region and that he never set out to stoke division or ill will between communities.
“My comments were never intended to demean, offend, or target any community,” he said.
An Apology With Conditions
While Omar acknowledged the political friction his address had caused, particularly among Kenyans from the Central Kenya region who felt directly targeted, he framed the fallout as a misunderstanding rather than a misstep.
“To all those who may have been offended, I sincerely regret the misunderstanding and extend my apology,” he said.
The clarification arrives against a backdrop of intense scrutiny following Omar’s fiery statements during the fuel strike demonstrations, where he accused sections of the transport sector of blatant bias and warned that the government would take decisive action against any leader found to be inciting public unrest.
The Remarks That Sparked the Storm
Among the most provocative statements Omar made during the protests was a direct warning aimed at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he accused of fanning the flames of civil disruption. Omar made clear that Gachagua’s political profile would offer him no protection if investigators linked him to incitement.
“This is no joke… If Riggy G breaks the law and the arms of the law point at him, we will arrest him,” Omar said.
Defending the Government’s Transport Agenda
Beyond the controversy, Omar used his public platform to defend the Ruto administration’s broader strategy to clean up Kenya’s transport sector. He stated that the government is actively working to dismantle entrenched cartels and is pushing forward with modernization projects, including an expanded commuter rail network and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, as part of a plan to improve public transport and reduce dependence on illegal networks.
He also raised pointed questions about the political timing of the strike, challenging why matatu operators chose to ground their services under the current administration when they had not staged similar disruptions during comparable fuel price crises under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
A Redirect to the Ballot Box
Omar closed his message with a firm but measured call to order, urging Kenyans who oppose President William Ruto’s administration to channel their frustrations through constitutional means rather than street action.
For those determined to express their discontent, he offered one clear answer: wait for the 2027 general election and make their voices count at the ballot box.
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